Hundreds of local school children watched David Moyes put his Sunderland team through their paces in a special training session in County Durham this morning.
The Black Cats boss took his first team squad to the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground in Hetton, giving schools in the area the opportunity to see the players at close quarters.
Children from primary and secondary schools in the Hetton area enjoyed a fun-packed morning in the company of the likes of Jermain Defoe, Victor Anichebe and Jordan Pickford, seeing first-hand how the team and the backroom staff prepare for a game. The players then signed autographs and posed for photographs after training session, before heading back to the Academy of Light.
Manager David Moyes also made a special presentation to Paul Foster, headteacher at St Michael’s Primary School and a life-long Sunderland fan, who will be retiring at Christmas.
Speaking after the training session, David Moyes said: “It is important for us to be able to get out to see fans at events such as this today. Sunderland is a club that is at the heart of its local community and we want to do everything we can to continue to strengthen the bond between the club and its supporters”.
Jermain Defoe, who rifled home his 250th goal in English league football in Saturday’s 2-1 win over champions Leicester City, added: “It was brilliant being able to train in front of the children and they made us feel so welcome. Their enthusiasm is infectious and when you see the kind of support this club has it drives you on to want to bring them success.”
