SHEFFIELD United had an unfamiliar face among their first division stars during their friendly with Tavistock AFC last Wednesday.
With minutes to go, Blades manager Neil Warnock brought on 17-year-old super-sub Marc Whiting ? a builder?s apprentice from Tavistock!
The teenager, from Greenlands, works for building firm D J Avent, who recently worked on Neil Warnock?s house in Stoke Climsland ? Warnock is a former manager of Plymouth Argyle.
?It started as a joke,? said Marc, a former Tavistock College student. ?A few days before the game he asked me if I wanted to play for him in the friendly and we just laughed about it.
?But then, the day before the match he took me to meet the players. I got on really well with them. It was brilliant.?
Marc, who does not play organised football, told his friends he was going to be brought on as United?s substitute, but they did not believe him.
?They thought I was having them on,? he said. ?I think they got quite a surprise when I came running on to the pitch.?
Marc said his family came along to witness his big moment. And his performance was spotted by the coach of a team in East Cornwall who was impressed with his skills.
?I was approached by this guy after the game,? said Marc. ?He said I should come along for a trial with his team in Stoke Climsland.?
l For a report and pictures of the big day at Langsford Park, see page 46.