12:10pm Sunday 22nd April 2012
GARRY Smith, of Malvern, found himself fulfilling every football fan’s dream when he played a match at Wembley under the watchful eye of England caretaker manager Stuart Pearce.
Mr Smith, aged 33, of Osborne Road, won a place to play at Wembley as part of a competition organised by England team sponsor Vauxhall.
When he got to the iconic stadium, he found his team was captained by Steve Claridge and managed by Ray Wilkins.
Their opponents had Ray Parlour as captain and Stuart Pearce as manager.
Mr Smith’s team won 3-0.
The Big Pitch experience was organised by Vauxhall who wanted to offer England fans a dream day to play at Wembley as part of their sponsorship of the FA.
Mr Smith said: “Winning the chance to play at Wembley was amazing but to actually run out on to the hallowed turf and play in front of Stuart Pearce was just unbelievable.
“It was one of those moments in life where you have to pinch yourself to check it wasn’t a dream.
“But it was true, I was there at the home of football playing in the game of a lifetime.”
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