A JUNIOR football team took part in a keepie-uppie challenge to promote Soccer Aid with a little help from Crewe and Nantwich MP Kieran Mullan.

Youngsters from the Cheshire Blades club have helped promote the UNICEF cause ahead of the England versus Soccer Aid World XI match behind closed doors at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The MP joined in with the club's under-12 Lionesses team, although the rugby-loving politician admitted the task of keeping the ball off the ground proved too tough for him.

During his visit Kieran met with parents, players and coaches as well as Blades Chairman Simon Hoyland, who updated the MP on plans to install a nature walk at the club's base.

Cheshire Blades F.C. is one of the largest independent junior Football Clubs in the area with over 300 registered players drawn mainly from Crewe and Nantwich.

"It was excellent that Kieran showed interest and came and looked at our project which is 25 years in the making," said Simon. "Sport and nature conservation gets kids out exercising and learning in the open air.

"Giving children the essential life skills are a key objective of our club and meeting and interacting with our MP was an terrific example of that."

The MP said: "Cheshire Blades give so many young people the opportunity to take part in sport.

"As I could only manage two keepie uppies I needed all the help I could get to keep up with my footballer MP colleagues, so big thanks to the Lionesses who got to 22.

"It was great to see their enthusiasm for the UNICEF campaign which is all about giving some of the poorest children in the world a shot at a better start in life."

Soccer Aid, the world's biggest celebrity football match, is on ITV this Sunday (6.30pm) when once again stars of showbusiness and football will take to the pitch to raise funds for projects supporting some of the worlds poorest children.

This year the focus is on the battle against coronavirus.

Cheshire Blades is always on the lookout for players of all abilities and age groups, boys and girls and those players with assisted needs. You can get in touch at the club's web site.