Imagine turning up to play for your semi-professional team on a Saturday afternoon and spotting Paul Scholes lacing up his boots for the opponents. Your first thought would be: ‘Wait a minute, is that Pau… no, can’t be!’
Stockport Georgians’ players experienced this in September 2018 when Scholes, aged 43 at the time, came out of retirement to help out his son’s team. Royton Town, who were competing in the 11th tier of English football, managed to convince the Manchester United legend to pull on their maroon strip for one game only.
They were short on players and told their opponents that they were bringing in a 43-year-old dad to help out. Little did Stockport Georgians know that the unnamed father in question was one of the greatest midfielders in the history of English football.
He claimed the trio were ‘the best’ of a generation but explained exactly why one was better than the rest.
Paul Scholes Reacts to Fans Comparing Kobbie Mainoo to Him
Having retired in 2013, the appearance for Royton Town was Scholes’ first bit of competitive action on a football pitch in five years. It was also officially recorded as the 500th appearance of his professional career. A couple of videos of the former midfielder in action were posted to social media at the time, and you can watch them below.
Even at 43 in a semi-pro game, Scholesy was still prepared to fly into a 50/50 tackle. You love to see it. However, the presence of a former England international wasn’t enough to prevent Royton slumping to a 1-0 defeat. If you were part of the Stockport Georgians’ team that afternoon, you’d surely mention that you beat a team containing one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history at every available opportunity. Despite the defeat, Royton manager Mark Howard had plenty of praise for Scholes.
Royton’s Manager Was Thrilled With Scholes
Paul Scholes
Despite losing the game 1-0, Howard was very happy with what he saw from Scholes and credited him for “raising the level of those around him by 10-15 per cent” – including that of his own son, Arron. The manager spoke to BBC Sport about the game afterwards and explained why the Englishman had offered to play:
“We had eight or nine of our senior players missing and Paul said he’d be happy to help out if we were ever short as his son Arron plays for us. It’s great for the league. Opponents don’t want to look stupid in front of him.”
The gaffer wasn’t the only one grateful for Scholes’ efforts and helping out in the game. Royton chairman Gary Leeming also praised the legendary midfielder following his cameo.
Scholes’ Appearance Boosted Attendance
Following Howard’s comments, Royton’s chairman also got in on the action and publicly praised Scholes. He credited the former United man for boosting the team’s attendance for the match and revealed that he’d occasionally been training with the side prior to playing for them anyway and had proven he was still very good despite his age.
“Usually, these sort of games attract 40 or 50 people but there were a lot more there when word got out that he was playing. I can’t imagine Stockport Georgians have ever had so many people on their car park.
“We were down to the bare bones. He’s 43 now but he’s still got that magic wand and he was absolutely fantastic for us. He obviously has a lot of media commitments but he occasionally trains with us when he can and is still a great player.”
Class truly is permanent. It’s not what Scholes is used to, having shone on the grandest stages such as the Premier League and the Champions League, but when you truly love the beautiful game, it doesn’t matter where you are – as long as you’ve got a ball.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt and accurate as of 10/11/2025.
The Red Devils have made upgrading their midfield a priority in the transfer window, but a new forward and left-back have also been shortlisted if the budget can stretch that far, while the goalkeeper department is set for an overhaul too, with Altay Bayindir expected to move on.
The winger position is expected to be one that the club keep a close eye on, depending on what happens with the future of Marcus Rashford following the World Cup, and it has now emerged that they are closely monitoring a Brazilian sensation.
Man Utd Eyeing Rayan Deal
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According to AS journalist Edu Burgos, Man Utd are among the clubs showing a very strong interest in Bournemouth star Rayan.
The Brazil winger, who has been described as ‘deadly’, joined the Cherries in the January transfer window for £35m and excelled immediately as Antoine Semenyo’s replacement, netting five goals and registering two assists in 15 appearances.
Those performances earned him a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad, and he has started on the right-wing ahead of Neymar, Luiz Henrique, and Gabriel Martinelli since Raphinha suffered an injury in the win over Haiti.
His performances have seen United hold internal discussions about making a move for his services, although Bournemouth are adamant that he will spend the 2026/27 season at the Vitality Stadium.
However, the 19-year-old has a €100m (£87m) release clause in his contract that becomes active in the summer of 2027, and it now seems inevitable that he could be on the move next summer at the very latest.
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Man Utd Could Skip the Queue With Big Rayan Bid
Rayan is someone who has had eyes on him since he was tearing it up in Brazil, and it was somewhat a surprise when Bournemouth won the race for his signature in January.
But with his performances showing he is ready for the top level, a number of clubs are circling and waiting in anticipation for that release clause to come into effect.
Man Utd could skip the queue by making a mega offer this summer and getting a deal done early, but it won’t be easy to convince Bournemouth to sell early. It’s one to keep an eye on as the summer goes on, regardless of how unlikely it seems at this stage.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Former WWE Champion Sheamus is set to depart the company.
Per a report from Fightful Select, the 48-year-old’s contract is due to expire imminently. He is said to have rejected the chance to sign an extension under restructured terms.
In the hours before the news was announced, the Irish Superstar changed his social media handle to his real name, hinting at the end of his relationship with WWE.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
US President Donald Trump has thanked FIFA for making the “right” decision and suspending USMNT striker Folarin Balogun’s red card.
Balogun received his marching orders in the USA’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Round 32 of the World Cup. He unintentionally stood on Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic’s calf, prompting VAR to advise Brazilian referee Raphael Claus to review the incident.
Claus showed Balogun a red card, to the outrage of American supporters and manager Mauricio Pochettino. The former Arsenal striker had been set to miss his nation’s last 16 clash with Belgium on Tuesday (July 7th), but FIFA have reversed the decision.
Trump Thanks FIFA for Suspending Balogun Red Card
Credit: Aaron Schwartz / Pool/Sipa USA
FIFA have opted to hand Balogun a suspended one-game ban under Article 27. It means the American forward is free to play against Belgium at Seattle Stadium in Washington.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Balogun’s sending off has been shrouded in controversy, as some argue it was unjustified. Pochettino didn’t think his striker’s challenge warranted a red card.
Others made comparisons to Lionel Messi’s challenge in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria in the World Cup group stages. The Argentine forward didn’t even receive a booking for a foul a VAR expert believes was “even worse” than Balogun’s.
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White House ‘Didn’t Influence’ FIFA Decision
Carlos Barria via Action Images via Reuters
FIFA sources have insisted that White House influence can’t affect decisions because of the powers contained in Article 27. This article of the Disciplinary Code says that a “judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reacted to the red card and claimed that the USA “got screwed.” He suggested that an “appeal process” was required but believed it was too late for that.
This isn’t the first time FIFA have used Article 27, as they cleared Cristiano Ronaldo to play in Portugal’s opening World Cup games. The former Manchester United star was sent off in a World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in November.
Balogun will now be available for the World Cup co-hosts against Belgium, and it’s a much-needed boost for Pochettino. The AS Monaco frontman is his nation’s top scorer with three goals in as many games, including one in the win over Bosnia.
![Bruno Fernandes at Man Utd to the left, with Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard [Chelsea], Paul Scholes [Man Utd] to the other side](https://static0.givemesportimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/epl_fernandes-answers-the-gerrard-vs-lampard-vs-scholes-debate.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=140&h=98&dpr=2)
