Kop time for Worksop kids at Liverpool FC

Pupils from St Augustine’s boarded the bus for the match which saw Liverpool lose 3-1 on their home turf to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Bassetlaw MP John Mann said he surveyed local primary schools this summer and found the vast majority of children had never been to a premier sports fixture.

“For an area like Bassetlaw this did not surprise me but I was concerned,” he said.

“These children are our future, they should have the aspiration and experience of seeing our top athletes and sporting people competing at the highest levels.”

Spurred on by the success of the Olympics, Mr Mann wrote to football clubs, county cricket teams, tennis clubs and their sponsors requesting that they open their doors to children who will never be able to afford the travel and ticket costs to see them play.

Standard Chartered responded immediately and pupils from St Augustines went to Liverpool for a first class experience.

Said Mr Mann: “I want every Bassetlaw child to have the opportunity to experience premier level sport. This is no longer easily accessible for many people and this needs to change. “

“Seeing a first class sport at first hand is something everybody should be able to do. My thanks go to Standard Chartered for making Saturday possible.”