Football star hits the net with poetry session at Shropshire school
Premier League football player Andy Wilkinson visited pupils at a school in Shropshire to show them the importance of reading in all walks of life.
The Stoke City player visited Market Drayton Infants School yesterday and read to about 90 pupils in year one and year two.
The 29-year-old defender read Spike Milligan's poem Ning Nang Nong, which was followed by a question and answer session.
Kerry Simmons, deputy headteacher at the school, said: "It went really well and the children seemed to enjoy themselves.
"It showed the children that, even if you are a footballer, it is still important to read and write.
"We have built up a good relationship with Stoke FC over time.
"Every year a group of pupils go to the Britannia Stadium and have a tour and a look around.
"But this time they have come to us and Andy has been telling the pupils that reading is important no matter what you do in life.
"This is all part of our love of reading project.
"Children don't always see men reading and recently we had a dads' day where some of the dads came in to do reading. It is good for the children to see male role models.
"We have also been focusing on sport and football this term so it was great for Andy to be able to come and help us tie the two things together."
Andy, who has previously spent time on loan at both Shrewsbury Town FC and Telford AFC, visited the school as part of the Stoke City Community Trust programme
He said: "I was happy to come out and the welcome I received from the children and staff was great.
"I was here to read to the children at the school, which is something I do on a daily basis with my children.
"I think it's important that all children spend time and enjoy their reading as it will help them with all of their school work and in the future."
