WHEN Blackpool striker James Quinn asked a group of soccer-mad youngsters to sing their hearts out for the lads they didn't let him down.

For the kids, from a Saturday morning mini-soccer school run by the club, responded with a 90-minute rendition of football chants from the West stand during last weekend's match with York (November 22).

The youngsters, whose favourite ditty was There's Only One Tony Ellis to the tune of Winter Wonderland, were at the game with former Pool player Derek Spence, now the club's community officer, having earlier enjoyed a weekly three-hour training session at Baines School.

He said: "James Quinn came to the soccer school last week and said what the team really needed was for the kids to cheer them on.

"They kept it up for the whole game and it was great to see them enjoying themselves.

"Many had never been to a football game before and they were so excited.

The soccer schools, which have also been held at Greenlands High School, are aimed at 5 to 12-year-old boys and girls who want to get involved in football without being told they're not good enough to play.

And this Saturday (November 29) sees the launch of a similar scheme in South Shore.

Youngsters can just turn up at Highfield School between 9.30am-noon and Derek guarantees to make them better players and pick up good habits.

"We want to encourage good behaviour among all the kids who go to the ground which hopefully will stay with them for life," he said.

"Also, when they're playing football they are not getting into trouble."

They will also be taught how to be good losers, the main reason why parents, many of whom are too competitive, are banned from the touchlines.

No-one demands that the youngsters turn up every week and as the school develops trips to Bloomfield Road will be organised.

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