MICHAEL mania was alive and kicking at Fairfield School last Thursday as the England striker and coach Kevin Keegan launched a new national football scheme for kids.

Awestruck youngsters were ecstatic as the Liverpool goalscorer took part in coaching sessions with school teams from Runcorn and Widnes.

Nine-year-old Andre Smith from Hallwoord Park school drooled: "I touched him - I'm never going to wash my hand again."

And schoolmate Daniel Rowbotham said: "It was just brilliant seeing him here."

The England pair spent the afternoon in Halton promoting the FA's Chartermark initiative aimed at helping schools reach new standards of soccer coaching.

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour RC primary, St Michael's RC, Westfield primary, Windmill Hill primary and Fairfield High schools were all represented.

The borough has been specially chosen to pilot the project in recognition of the excellent work by the council's sports development team in improving junior football opportunities and facilities in Halton.

But the England boss admitted that his part in the proceedings was totally overshadowed by the Reds teenage hotshot.

He said: "One minute I'm practising headers with the kids and the next minute we're talking about mouth-to-mouth resuscitation - as soon as Michael turned up about three of the kids in my group nearly fainted - and I'm not just talking about the girls!"

Speaking about the FA's new scheme he said: "Football is already the number one sport in this country but that doesn't mean we can't still spend more time visiting schools and encouraging the youngsters.

"It's great to see people like Michael Owen putting something back into the game, especially as it was only eight years ago that he was the same age as these kids here today."

Michael said: "It was brilliant to see the kids' faces when I turned up. I love working with kids because I remember what it was like when I was their age. If a Gary Lineker or Alan Shearer popped in to my school I would have been thrilled.

"We're here to encourage the kids and hopefully they will develop into good players. I don't agree that there's not enough English talent around. You only have to look at England's u21s team.

"We've just got to keep improving and getting lads through the system. That's what the FA is doing with this scheme, encouraging football at grassroots level to produce better players and build for the future so there are more Michael Owens out there.

"If me being here will spur some of these youngsters on to become better players, then great.

"Hopefully in a few years this scheme will pay dividends and boys this age will be applying their trade in the Premiership."

Fairfield school was pinpointed to host the event because of its all-weather Astroturf pitch.

Keegan added: "I was very impressed with the facilities here at Fairfield. It would have been easier for us to do this in London but we picked this one out because we were impressed. It's been a great day for the area and we could be back here again."

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