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From Evening Herald:

Team manager Ian Burke is so keen to lead his team out at Wembley that he's going to drive from France to do it. His under-nine team (U10 07/08 season) are due to tread the hallowed turf on Monday, while Burke should be in a campsite a few miles from the Brittany ferry port of Roscoff.

But Burke, who is managed Rangers for the first time this season, admitted he was not going to allow his team to collect their medals from the stadium's Royal Box by themselves.

He said: "My wife's not too thrilled about it, but we're travelling to the campsite, I'm going to settle everything down, then I'm coming back on my own.

"After the team have played, I'll be driving back to France again for the rest of the holiday."

Rangers were selected for the festival - for FA Charter Mark teams - at a 'qualifying' round in Newquay.

Burke said his team would be guaranteed at least one game at Wembley after playing a few rounds at nearby Northwich Park.

He said: "There's no winners or losers, but everybody gets medals and they collect them from the Royal Box.

"I don't know who's more excited about it - the lads or me.

"It's going to be a hectic few days, but I'm particularly pleased that we're off to Wembley in my first year of coaching."

From Tavistock Times:

From Evening Herald:

CITY YOUNGSTERS GRACE HALLOWED WEMBLEY TURF

09 August 2007

Youngsters from Horrabridge Rangers rubbed shoulders with England boss Steve McClaren and 1966 World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst at the inaugural McDonald's Football Festival at Wembley this week.Horrabridge received expert tuition from McDonald's head coach Eric Harrison - the former Manchester United youth team boss who nurtured talents olike David Beckham and Gary Neville - and took part in mini-tournaments under the watchful gaze of McClaren and Hurst.

The under-10s earned their place in the showpiece alongside 44 other teams from around the UK after taking part in a competition held in Devon this summer.

"I don't know who was more honoured - the players or myself," said Horrabridge manager Ian Burke.

"It was a privilege to go to Wembley and actually step out on the turf, but to see my team play on the pitch was out of this world.

"They were all quiet on the coach until they saw the big arch and then the excitement hit them - they've now got memories that will stay with them forever."

The event had been organised by McDonald's, a community partner of the Football Association, as the culmination of a regional festival tour which saw 55,000 children from 43 tournaments attempt to qualify for the Wembley showpiece.

Horrabridge, who play in the Devon Junior and Minor League, followed in the footsteps of Chelsea and Manchester United's global stars from last weekend's Community Shield.

And McClaren was crossing his fingers that the tournament might produce the next crop of England stars.

"It was great to see the kids from Horrabridge at Wembley and they certainly seemed to enjoy the experience," said McClaren.

"It was a chance of a lifetime, because many great players have finished their careers without playing at Wembley.

"There were some talented kids out there and it would be great to see them back here for England one day."

The McDonald's National Festival aims to boost the standard and availability of qualified coaching for young players in every community.

Actual article.

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