They say never meet your heroes – but what about playing alongside them?

 

That was the unique opportunity I had. If you’ll forgive me for my honesty, I was like a giddy child. It was one of those slices of time when you need to take a step back and check that it was actually happening.

 

Thanks to Play with A Legend, it actually happened, and I’ve got memories that I can pass down to my kids and further. I can tell them all about the time I played football with a bona fide Arsenal legend.

 

This wonderful organisation have struck gold. Ahead of selected Arsenal home games, Play With A Legend, which was co-founded by former Gunner Perry Groves, have set up a match at The Arsenal Hub, next door The Emirates, offering fans the chance to play alongside their heroes. You can get the same chance I did – to play a match with a real, tangible Arsenal icon!

 

Arsenal in the Community, who are housed in the Arsenal Hub will benefit from every Play With A Legend event held and the facilities at The Hub are perfect with the synthetic pitch providing the perfect setting to see your hero strut their stuff.

 

Back to my experience, and I was on a team, facing off against none other than Nigel Winterburn!

 

IMG_6542

 

Yep. The Arsenal left-back who was instrumental in us winning at Anfield in 1989, a flawless title win in 1991, Two cups in 1993, the Cup Winners Cup in 1994, and a Double in 1998. A heavily decorated legend.

 

I played in goal and it was the ideal window to watch the master at work. Some may think that age may have robbed Winterburn of the professional touch, but after mere minutes, everyone could see who the pro was. A fine touch and excellent positioning, perhaps the most surprising thing was his fitness. Nigel disclosed that he was still in training, and was stepping up the pace due to the Arsenal Legends matches, and it had obviously paid dividends.

 

After the game, we all got changed and headed upstairs, where ice-cold refreshments were laid on and guzzled mercilessly. Nigel came in and we had a revealing Q&A session, and we all were given the opportunity to get his autograph, a signed photograph and a few selfies, to commemorate the occasion.

 

Head over to the site to find out more and to book your place and make your childhood dreams come true – if you’re an unashamed fanboy, this is nirvana. Click here:

www.playwithalegend.com/arsenalhub

 

IMG_6541

 

Forget about never meeting your heroes, it’s something you won’t regret!