Football fever hit the Black Country when England’s World Cup-winning hero Sir Geoff Hurst dropped in for a fun training session

Aug 9 2010 by Chris Henwood, Birmingham Mail

FOOTBALL fever hit the Black Country when England’s World Cup-winning hero Sir Geoff Hurst dropped in for a fun training session.

Tipton youngsters and their families met the legend on Sunday at the event organised by McDonald’s franchisee Paul Ramsey and the town football club.

The event formed part of McDonald’s Community partnership with the FA and aimed to inspire youngsters to sharpen their skills through a series of interactive coaching sessions, mini-tournaments and skills’ inflatables, designed to help develop dribbling, aerial ability and shooting accuracy. Families and friends were also encouraged to join in the fun by being invited to try their hand at coaching or even sign up as a club volunteer.

Also on hand at the Tipton Sports Academy, in Wednesbury Oak Road, was McDonald’s Head Coach Eric Harrison, who as former Head of Manchester United’s Youth Academy is credited for helping to create the famous ‘Class of 92’, including Paul Scholes, the Neville Brothers and David Beckham.

Dean Pearson, commercial manager of Tipton Town FC, said: “Today has been a great day for celebrating and sharing our passion for football – and we want to thank McDonald’s franchisee Paul Ramsey for organising it for the benefit of our whole community.

“Grassroots football is key to the development of the national game and it was inspiring to see so many people involved,” he added.