Red-Faced Red Nev Misses Manchester Weather?

Over the past twelve months, we have seen a number of international footballers enchant Indian audiences – Messi & Co. gave Kolkata’s football-crazed crowds quite a treat as Argentina took on Venezuela, Venky’s very own Barclays Premier League club Blackburn Rovers played in front of a packed stadium in Pune and German giants Bayern Munich enriched Baichung Bhutia’s testimonial in New Delhi. Many believe that this trend is part of a greater scheme to uplift India from the depths of footballing obscurity and transform it into a force to be reckoned with.

In keeping with this theme, the country’s most beloved foreign club Manchester United is in the process of establishing its world-renowned Soccer Schools program here in Mumbai. After club CEO David Gill announced a tie-up with the Western India Football Association (WIFA) back in November, ex-United captain Gary Neville arrived in the city to inaugurate the training program.

On a sundrenched morning at the Cooperage, hundreds of people gathered to welcome the man whom the Old Trafford faithful affectionately call Red Nev, and the man himself looked pleased as punch to be in India – signing autographs and posing for pictures until the scorching heat got the better of him. He then relaxed in the air-conditioned comfort of a new clothing and accessories store soon to be opened at the venue.  About half an hour later, he emerged in proper United training apparel, boots and all, and participated in a light training session with local schoolchildren, the beneficiaries of this whole endeavour.  Neville accompanied MUSS head coach Chris O’Brien in demonstrating ‘the United way’ of training youngsters with an array of dribbling, passing and footwork exercises while the crowd cheered his every movement. “Who do you think taught Giggsy his tricks?” Neville joked, as he pleased everyone with some elaborate twists and turns.

As the shenanigans concluded on the Cooperage turf, it was back to the grind for poor old Gary Neville with an impatient throng of fans waiting for their jerseys and footballs to be autographed and their pictures to be taken with a man they were only used to seeing week-in-week-out on ESPN.  “This is the best day of my life!” said one teary-eyed United enthusiast, proudly showing us his signed scarf. “I woke up at 6am, spent an hour and a half in the local train and waited in the sun for another couple of hours; it’s all worth it now!”

The sweat poured down Gary Neville’s face which had turned rather reddish-pink, as British skin does tend to, when faced with sunny conditions. We didn’t bother offering him a towel, though, ecstatic as we were with our autographed issue of Fuse safely in our hands, we took our leave, feeling rather pleased that India’s footballing future lies in excellent hands. 

Learn to Play the United Way in Mumbai!

Have you ever seen professional footballers training on smooth green turfs and wondered, “Why am I stuck dodging cricket balls and anthills at Oval Maidan?” Have you ever complained that your coach doesn’t understand you? That he should learn from someone like Manchester United’s coach Sir Alex Ferguson? Have you ever dreamed of playing for a big Premier League club like, say, United or Chelsea? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then you really have hit the jackpot, my friend.

Here’s the deal - Manchester United has tied-up with the Western India Football Association (WIFA) to bring its world renowned Soccer Schools program to India, the Cooperage ground in Mumbai to be more specific. Starting January 2012, Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) offers a series of year-round skill development courses catering to a variety of age groups ranging from as young as 8-9 year-olds right up till 16-17 year-olds. The program wants you to actually feel like a professional footballer (a lot better than your ‘Be a Pro’ mode in FIFA12, I assure you) and at the same time, helps you to develop your game. They also promise you a lot of individual player-coach interaction, personality-building sessions and the opportunity to win a trip to England to play in the World Skills Final held at United’s Old Trafford stadium in front of 76,000 fans before an actual Premier League match kicks off!

The FUSE India Team was delighted to be present at the inauguration ceremony on a pleasant November evening, held at a Cooperage gleaming in the glory of its newly-laid artificial synthetic turf. The event was centred around the presence of one man – Manchester United CEO, Mr. David Gill. In case you don’t already know, he’s the guy who offers contracts to stars like Wayne Rooney and Chicharito. He’s the guy who all the players, coaches and management ultimately report to, he’s Sir Alex Ferguson’s boss. Now you know he’s got to be really important at Old Trafford.

Mr. Gill was welcomed by WIFA President and Member of Parliament, Mr. Praful Patel. The duo shared a light moment as Mr. Patel talked about how he had learnt to play football just across the road from the Cooperage at the Campion School in his youth. Eloquent speeches were made, followed by a candid question-and-answer session. The evening concluded with a demonstration by MUSS coaches, offering the unique opportunity of top-quality-training to a bunch of uncontrollably excited schoolchildren. Nothing beats the horrible feeling that the aged-eighteen-plus-folk, myself included, felt when we realised that we aren’t eligible for this glorious opportunity, as our feet itched to get some football boots on and have a kick-about. Young FUSE readers, listen and listen carefully - if you fancy yourself as a footballer, or even if you don’t and just like to sport, get involved.

Who knows? Maybe the next David Beckham is waiting to be discovered right here in Mumbai!  Log on to www.manutdsoccerschools.in to enrol.