ONE ELL OF A DAY TO REMEMBER

Hero Nevitt follows Rooney traits

- DAVID RICHARDSON

REMEMBER the name Wayne Rooney. Remember the name Elliott Nevitt.

The England all-time goalscorer and Manchester United legend will have enjoyed watching the 21-year-old burst onto the footballing map, just like he did as a 16-year-old at Everton, with a hat-trick to make his and Warrington Rylands’ Wembley dream come true.

The North West Counties League side is owned by Rooney’s agent, Paul Stretford, and the Derby County manager has offered advice to Rylands boss David McNabb and his team throughout this run.

Rylands is a labour of love for Stretford having represented the club as a player, just like his grandfather did in 1919 and where his dad was treasurer. On the pitch at full-time, he hugged and thanked every player while his face mask covered a beaming smile.

In just the last three years he has overseen the club’s rise from the Step 7 Cheshire League to, next season, Step 4 in the Northern Premier League West by virtue of the recent restructure.

Rooney visited training before their semi-final victory at Walsall Wood and Derby’s Moor Farm training ground was opened up for the club’s final training session on their trip south on Friday.

Rooney, then, will have enjoyed Nevitt’s wonderful display, the young striker leading the line all by himself with his broad shoulders and power.

Only a week ago, Nevitt was lifting the 2020 FA Sunday Cup after scoring the winning goal for Campfield in extra time.

A day earlier, he had scored the winner over Walsall Wood to send Rylands to Wembley, having bagged the crucial goal over last year’s winners Hebburn Town in the quarters.