Children score a surpise visit from Rochdale winger Peter Vincenti

Peter Vincente and winning team

Children competing in a football tournament at Hopwood Hall College received a surprise visit from Rochdale AFC's Peter Vincenti.

The budding young footballers were taking part in a end of season tournament at the college's public Sports Arena, showing off all they had learned to attending parents.

Vincenti ensured the tournamet packed a pre-Christmas present for the youngsters. To the surprise of all the competitors and their parents, the Rochdale player dropped in and watched over all their games.

At the end of the tournament, Vincenti handed out individual awards to every single player, posed for pictures with all the attending families and spoke to children about life as a footballer (as well as giving out a few tips and tricks).

Dewan Choudhury, organiser of the youth football sessions at the college, spoke of his admiration for the humble Rochdale player, he said: "Peter coming to the tournament was massive for the kids, they were really made up. Whilst handing out awards and chatting to the players and their families might not seem like a lot, this was every bit as much a Christmas present for them as what is under their trees.

"We'd like to thank Rochdale AFC for continuing their excellent work in the community.

"I'd also like to say how much of a class act Peter was, he made sure anyone who wanted to speak to him or have a photo did and was a very humble individual all round. We'd love to have him back again."

Vincenti, who is chasing promotion from League One to the Championship with Rochdale, was equally impressed with the youth teams' displays,

"I saw a few tough challenges out there, but I love to see the hunger to compete the kids show at this age.

"To them, this is the biggest game in the world right now; scoring in front of all the parents is like scoring in front of England supporters at Wembley. It's great to see them purely enjoying playing the game.

"It's also really good to see both girls and boys playing together in such large numbers, I hope they stick at it and help develop the sport in the next generation."