Martin Compston is confident Vicky McClure will get Soccer Aid off to a good start this year
Artin Compston says he is certain fellow line-of-duty Vicky McClure Soccer Aid will “do well this year” as the two return to the charity event as members of rival coaching teams.
The pair previously met at Soccer Aid last year, resulting in a win for Compston as part of the World XI squad.
The Scottish actor will be part of the World XI management team this year alongside former Irish star Robbie Keane.
McClure is rejoining the England management team, which includes former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and Chelsea women’s boss Emma Hayes, and is headed by rapper Stormzy.
Ahead of the 2023 event, which is set to take place on June 11, Compston said he had teased McClure about her lack of success at the 2022 event so far.
“I’m really looking forward to it. It’s always great days with Vicky… and the England coaching staff, I’m sure we’ll have a lot of laughs,” he told the PA news agency.
“We had a bit of stick… last night. I was packing to come here (and) my son found a bunch of Soccer Aid medals in my closet.
“He calls them ‘Dad’s Treasures’ and they were right in the middle of my sock drawer.
“So I sent her pictures and said, ‘Would you like me to do one of these for you, just in case?’ because last year she left empty-handed.
“It’s not fair that she continues to go without a medal, so I’m sure she’ll try this year.”
Compston, who has attended four Soccer Aid events as a player, said the event has become “an important part of the annual calendar” for him.
“I’m just happy to be back. It’s such a wonderful event,” he told PA.
“It has actually become an important part of my life and an important part of the annual calendar.
“It’s just an unfortunate timing this year, I’m filming two jobs this week and the team kindly offered me to be part of the coaching staff.”
Compston added that for someone who grew up with football as a kid, it was “fascinating” to see how things played out from “the other side”.
“It’s a great pleasure for me to be able to attend the coaching meetings and see them actually talk because everyone takes it very seriously from the start,” he said.
“To see Robbie Keane and everyone else talking about a game plan… I’m thrilled.”
He added, “And it also means I can put my feet up a little bit more.”
Soccer Aid for Unicef 2023 takes place at Manchester United’s Old Trafford on Sunday 11 June.
https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/martin-compston-vicky-mcclure-soccer-aid-harry-redknapp-emma-hayes-b1081322.html Martin Compston is confident Vicky McClure will get Soccer Aid off to a good start this year
