There was a
moment during Wayne Rooney’s return to where it all started, when 99
England caps and all those honours were the furthest thing from his
mind.
Standing
in the foyer of Our Lady and St Swithin’s Catholic Primary School,
peering into the main hall, the sight of 99 excited pupils — who had
gathered to mark the latest milestone in his glittering career — took
him back to his childhood.
It
was in this school, in the working-class Croxteth area of Liverpool,
that Rooney’s dreams of becoming a top footballer took flight. This is
where he began kicking a ball in earnest, scampering around on a little
yard he remembers ‘felt as big as three pitches’.
VIDEO: Scroll down to watch Wayne Rooney return to his first school for an iconic photograph
Wayne Rooney returned to Our Lady and
St Swithin's Catholic School in Liverpool ahead of winning his 100th
England cap on Saturday
Rooney was joined by 99 children from the school in Sportsmail's exclusive photoshoot to commemorate the striker's century
The children cheer as Rooney takes centre stage wearing the cap he won in England's friendly against Brazil last year
Rooney will become England’s ninth centurion when he leads the team out against Slovenia at Wembley this Saturday.
In recognition of the achievement, he took part in a photoshoot for Sportsmail that had echoes of the iconic images of former England captains Bobby Moore (1973) and Steven Gerrard (2012).
As he walked into the hall, Manchester United’s captain was given a deafening ovation.
The
children, who had behaved impeccably as they waited patiently for him
to arrive, sang his name and cheered as he took his place among them.
If
Rooney felt any nerves, they were quickly dispelled as he was bombarded
with questions and affectionate slaps on the back. He may play his club
football down the M62 but he remains very much a local hero. This,
clearly, was a humbling experience.
Each of the 99 children had their shirt signed by the England and Manchester United forward as they shared the special occasion
Rooney, at his old school for an
exclusive Sportsmail photoshoot, talks to some of the 99 pupils who took
part in the group picture
Wearing one of his England caps,
national team skipper Rooney chats with the Class of 2014 at the school
where it all started for him
‘It
was very special to come back to the school I went to as a young boy,’
said Rooney. ‘I saw a few former teachers who were here when I was and
it was great to see the kids so delighted. This is where I started
kicking a ball around.
‘All the young kids here have dreams. All the young lads grow up wanting to be footballers. They love the sport.
‘I
was the same when I was here. I just wanted to be a professional
footballer and I have managed to do that. So to captain my country and
be closing in on 100 caps is special.
‘It’s
great for the school as well. I’m really proud of where I come from and
it’s great that I can come back to the area. They all know I play for
Manchester United and hopefully they are proud of what I have done in my
career. Hopefully it inspires them.
‘For
the kids to see someone who has been to this school and gone on to
achieve what I have done, shows they can achieve their dreams. I know
what it is like. Franny Jeffers went to my senior school (De La Salle)
and he inspired me. It would be great to think that it would be the same
for these.’
Rooney poses in the middle of the children who were thrilled to have a visitor of his stature drop into their school
Three of the children dressed in their
England shirts signed by the captain who is also his country's
fourth-highest scorer of all time
Rooney takes time to talk to the
children at Our Lady and St Swithin's as he marks winning his 100th cap
against Slovenia on Saturday
Rooney has his audience captivated as he talks about playing for England and Manchester United
There
is no doubt he is a beacon at St Swithin’s. In the foyer, an England
shirt and ball signed by Rooney provide a daily reminder to pupils of
what can be achieved with talent, hard work and dedication.
‘Wayne gives the children self-belief and he has got every value that we value,’ said headteacher Sandra Hamilton.
‘He
is mature and resilient; a leader. He is world-class. We look at him as
a wonderful family man and are extremely proud of everything that he
does.’
Rooney has enjoyed many memorable days but this, clearly, struck a chord.
It was also special for the 99 children, each of whom left with the shirt they wore for the photograph sporting his autograph.
THERE WAS EVEN TIME FOR A SCHOOLBOY PRANK!
A cheeky chap (right) pulls at Rooney's shirt while the England captain holds court with several other children...
.... But Rooney is quickly on to the
prank as the culprit (second right, third row) wears a sheepish grin
after being caught red-handed
Rooney is to be presented with a special golden cap by England legend Sir Bobby Charlton before kick-off against Slovenia
Children in the photograph look enthralled by Rooney as he talks to them about his life as one of the world's best players
Rooney shows the children the cap he
won against Brazil in Rio, a friendly in which he scored England's
second goal in a 2-2 draw
The pupils form an orderly queue as they wait for Rooney to sign their replica England kits - the perfect souvenir from the day
Rooney pens his signature on to a shirt for one of the mums during his visit to St Swithin’s Catholic Primary School
Rooney signed all the pupils' kits at Our Lady and St Swithin's as he returned to his old primary school
As
for Rooney, he didn’t leave empty-handed, either. Awaiting him as he
walked out of the door were two-more caps — these ones emblazoned with
the St Swithin’s crest.
‘I
remember being up on that stage in the school choir,’ reflected Rooney.
‘I had a solo part in a play one year. I didn’t fancy it (singing)
again! The memories do come back, obviously. There have been one or two
changes but it is still as much as I remember it. It’s a very welcoming
school.
‘When
you are here as a kid, you think it is absolutely massive, the building
and everything. I used to think the schoolyard was as big as three
football pitches. So it was special to come back, of course it was. It
was a great day.’
The 99 children listened as Rooney returned to where his education - and footballing journey - all began
Many of the children in the photograph will hope they can emulate Rooney and make a career from football
The children took home their special shirts as a souvenir of Rooney's visit back to the school in the Croxteth area of Liverpool
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE PHOTOGRAPH
Sir Bobby Moore marks his century of caps in 1973 with a group of schoolchildren. Moore went on to win 108 caps for England
Steven Gerrard replicated Moore's famous shot in 2012 as he too celebrated reaching his century of England caps
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