Chevrolet 'Pitch Day' Sees Amateurs Play At Iconic Old Trafford

MANCHESTER – May 30, 2013: Three amateur football teams got the chance to compete in a once-in-a-lifetime tournament at Manchester United's historic Old Trafford stadium in an event hosted by Chevrolet and FourFourTwo, the largest football magazine in the U.K.

Three amateur teams, as well as a FourFourTwo team, took part in the Pitch Day competition and were all coached by Manchester United and England legends Bryan Robson and Andy Cole.

“It has been our intention since day one to put fans at the centre of our sponsorship of Manchester United. This initiative has given true football fans the chance to play on the very same ground where Manchester United won its record 20 titles, a ground that hosted some great footballing names, such as George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton and Eric Cantona,” said Susan Docherty, President and Managing Director, Chevrolet and Cadillac Europe.

The three participating teams were Windle Labour (St Helens), Jubilee Rangers (Norwich) and Cal’s XI (Darwin, Lancs). Windle Labour won the competition, beating the FourFourTwo selection 4-0 in the final game.

The amateurs were chosen from more than 70 teams which applied to participate in the event. All entries were asked to give a reason – such as a season littered with silverware or one made horrifically memorable by relegation to a lower league – why they should be chosen.

Windle Labour's Gary Bennet explained how his team, after winning two games the entire season, managed to avoid the drop on goal difference by winning their last three games.

Lee Cork, from Jubilee Rangers, said his team celebrated a double league and cup wins. However, their assistant manager and club legend Matthew Whitehead had to sit out most of the season with a broken ankle. The team wanted to give him the chance to lead them out at Old Trafford.

And Calvin Ferguson, from Cal's XI, said his team had a hard season and despite working very hard with barely enough players, they did not manage any silverware.

Chevrolet became the Official Automotive Partner of Manchester United as part of a sponsorship agreement signed in 2012. The Chevrolet logo will feature on the Reds' shirt as of the 2014/5 season. Chevrolet has pledged that fans will be at the heart of its sponsorship with a constant focus on bringing the club supporters and football fans around the world closer to the game than ever before.