Wise words inspire Blessed Trinity to county title

Tom Heaton poses for a picture with a pupil in a question and answer session at Blessed Trinity

The youngsters had a question and answer session with Burnley keeper Tom Heaton and Wembley 1962 goalscorer Jimmy Robson before their trip to St Bede’s High School for the Lancashire finals.

And they were inspired to beat Montgomery 7-1 and then come back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Morecambe.

In the final game they trailed 2-1, but the game finished 2-2 against Lytham St Anne’s to be crowned county champions.

Earlier the students had asked Tom and Jimmy everything from nutrition to their loudest team-mate!

“We used to have steaks from chairman Bob Lord before every game but I had a really bad game after one so it was honey and toast after that for me,” said Jimmy, who also won the First Division title with Burnley in 1960.

“We wouldn’t have steaks now before a game!” said Tom, who admitted the best player he had played with was Cristiano Ronaldo when he was at Manchester United.

“I grew up at Manchester United from 11 to 24 and Cristiano was not only an incredibly talented footballer but, to be at the top of his game, he trained extra hard and went home and worked in the gym to make sure he became the top player he is.”

Meanwhile Jimmy admitted the biggest hurdle he had to overcome was replacing Clarets hero Jimmy McIlroy in games.

“When he was on international duty, I was about 17 and came in for him – it was hard as we were different players and Jimmy was extremely skilful and a good player. I was more rough and ready.”