Arsenal and England legend Paul Merson gave a Greenford football club a boost by putting its players through their paces in an exclusive training session.
North Greenford United won the training session with Merson through a competition run by decorating and DIY specialist Leyland SDM.
The once-in-a-lifetime prize was part of Leyland SDM’s Give London a Lift campaign, which will see the business support community groups and charities in London with a share of £10,000 of DIY products and materials throughout 2021.
Leyland SDM has a store in Greenford on 312 – 316 Ruislip Road East.
Merson, who scored 98 goals during a glittering career with Arsenal and is now a Sky Sports pundit, led training and offered his expert insight at the Berkeley Fields club on Wednesday (September 8).
He said: “It was fantastic to join North Greenford United at their training session.
“The club has some really good players and it was a privilege to play a practice game alongside them and offer them some advice from my experience.
“I’m proud to be involved with Leyland SDM’s Give London a Lift campaign which is helping so many good causes throughout the capital.”
North Greenford United, who play in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North, will also receive a new kit as part of the Leyland SDM competition.
Paul Mills, team manager, said: “It was an amazing experience to welcome Paul to training.
“To have someone of his reputation and standing involved in training was a huge boost for the players. They took all of his advice on board and I’m sure they’ll be better players for it.
“He might be 53, but he can certainly still pass a ball!
“On behalf of the club, I’d like to offer a huge thank you to Leyland SDM for getting our season off to a flying start.”
Paul Gerreli, Marketing Director at Leyland SDM, said: “Paul is one of the biggest names in the game and training alongside him was a great prize for the players of North Greenford United.
“He’s a huge name in the game and training alongside him will be an experience the players treasure forever.”
London organisations can apply for £1,000 store credit through Give London a Lift before the end of October and winners are chosen by a team of judges.
Groups can apply for prizes to help them open new premises, recover an existing building from a state of disrepair or any other project which benefits the community.
Already this year Bandstand Beds, Acton Arts, Caxton House Community Centre and The Brompton Fountain have won funding.
Visit www.leylandsdm.co.uk/givelondonalift to apply.
