'Thank your lucky stars' (From Warrington Guardian)

'Thank your lucky stars'

SIR Bobby Charlton has told aspiring young footballers in Knutsford: You're lucky.

The 1966 World Cup winner said players had more opportunities to shine now then they did 50 years ago.

"There wasn't anything like a soccer school then," he said.

"You could go to a professional club or that was it."

Yesterday (Tuesday) England legend Sir Bobby led a coaching session at Egerton Youth Club in Knutsford.

The former Manchester United star, who lives in Ollerton, spent about four hours with an under 13s team. The youngsters were given a training session at the Bobby Charlton Soccer School after player James Daniel, 12, won a competition.

Watching from the touchline, Sir Bobby told the Knutsford Guardian it was important for young players to be good listeners.

"All the great players had to do it," he said.

"But the most important thing is for them to have fun." Sir Bobby was still a schoolboy when he joined Manchester United in the 1950s. He went on to play 106 times for his country, scoring a record 49 goals.

But yesterday he said too few coaching sessions had been enjoyable when he was young.

"I always thought that fun was never really a part of coaching," he said.

"When we set up the soccer school I think at the time we were unique."

Thousands of children from across the world have signed up for the soccer school since it was founded 27 years ago.

Youngsters from India, Korea and Japan have even joined the project, which moved to Mereheath Lane two years ago. England captain David Beckham was a star pupil at the soccer school in the 1980s.

Yesterday Sir Bobby said he stood out from every other player at the time.

"When he won our competition he'd obviously got ability," he said.

"He was just that bit better at all the basics."

Persil organised yesterday's training session for James after his grandmother entered a competition in Tesco.

The youngster and his team travelled from Falmouth, Cornwall, to train with Sir Bobby and watch the 67-year-old demonstrate his skills.

Head coach Ian Bateman said they were lucky to learn the basics from one of the greatest ever football players.

"We've done free kicks because that's what Bobby does," he said.

"He's possibly been the best in the world for striking from outside the box."