As one of the longest-serving members of Soccer Aid’s England team, Paddy McGuinness is back in action this weekend with a host of famous faces helping to raise funds for Unicef in the charity game
“The only thing that ruins Soccer Aid slightly is the game because you’re that nervous!” laughs Paddy McGuinness as he prepares to join the England squad facing the Soccer Aid World XI FC in the annual charity clash.
TV host and comedian Paddy, 51, is playing alongside some famous faces and footballing legends in the match that kicks off at 7.30pm this Sunday. England will be hoping to retain their winning streak led by a coaching team that includes Harry Redknapp, Wayne Rooney and Tyson Fury.
“There’ll be no excuses saying you can’t hear him,” Paddy says of two-time world heavyweight champ Fury. “Sometimes you can get away with that. ‘Oh sorry, I didn’t hear your gaffer.’ But you’re going to hear Tyson, aren’t you?
“It’s my first time meeting him. His brother Tommy [Fury] usually plays in Soccer Aid and he’s a lovely lad. This year we’ve got Tyson. But no, he’s a fellow northerner so we’ll be right as rain.”
Having been involved with Soccer Aid almost continuously since 2010, Paddy jokes he’s become a seasoned ’stalwart’ of the home side and has counted some of his footballing heroes as his teammates and rivals.
“Ronaldinho, Zidan, Figo, Giggs, Keane… I’ve played against some amazing players. Legends. But weirdly, being a football fan I’m just glad to be on the pitch with them even if they are on the other side!
“Even someone like Usain Bolt, who everyone knows for what he’s achieved in his sprinting career, but then he also could have played professional football as well he’s that good. He came burying down the pitch for a one on one with me last year and I just managed to save it.
“It can be terrifying. But once you’ve kicked the ball a couple of times the nerves go then. And if you’re not nervous in front of 70,000 people, live on telly and playing a football game then something is not right.”
This year the match returns to Manchester United’s Old Trafford, not the first time Paddy has played at the Theatre of Dreams during his tenure on the team. “I’ve played up at St. James’ Park as well and at Wembley. So, you know, I’m very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play at some of the most famous grounds in the country. And ‘lest we not forget the mighty Toughsheet Stadium, Bolton,” says the Lancashire native. Maybe next year.
For the last two years, Paddy has volunteered himself as team goalkeeper. “All these young whippers now running round, left, right and centre flipping heck that used to be me. I still keep myself fit and I’m athletic but now I just take it a bit easier in the net.”
But life in goal isn’t all standing around, as Paddy found out last year when he was trained up by ex England keeper David Seaman who put him through his paces with a one on one masterclass.
“On the first day, David said to me ‘Get in the net’. He picked a ball up, booted a half volley at me. I caught it and he said ‘Right, job done!’ I said, ‘Is that it!?’ It wasn’t.
“He’s a lovely bloke. I love being around him. You know, when he’s teaching me little tips about goalkeeping, I kind of think to myself, ‘Bloody hell this is David Seaman talking to me as though I’m a pro keeper as well,’ which obviously I am not.
“I’ve found a new appreciation for goalkeepers since playing in Soccer Aid because you get covered in bruises and scratches and bumps and bangs because you’re constantly diving about.”
Training kicked off this week with the likes of former Lioness Jill Scott, presenter Sam Thompson and ex-Olympian Mo Farah playing for England. While Carlos Tevez, comedian Lee Mack and Strictly Come Dancing’s Gorka Márquez are among the big names playing for the opposition.
Sunday’s game will be taken incredibly seriously — especially by England’s co-managers Redknapp and Rooney, who is also playing.
“Harry is so funny, but when it comes to game day, you see him change,” says Paddy. “And that’s really nice to be a part of. They aren’t pushing for promotion but of course they want to win.”
As well as the glory of taking home the Soccer Aid Shield, the match also raises millions of pounds for children’s charity Unicef each year, including over £15million raised last year. The event was masterminded by pop star Robbie Williams in 2006 and has grown into a global phenomenon with celebrities and footballers from around the world wanting to play their part.
“It’s a win-win Soccer Aid because everyone playing in it really enjoys it and you get to play with these heroes you’d never get a chance to play with before,” says Paddy. “And all the people who come to watch the game love it and you know, and they might not necessarily be football fans, they might be there to see a pop star or a film star. And in the mix of all that, you’ve got Unicef making millions of pounds for their charity.
“The crowd is so good. At my first one, I could hardly hear the person at the side of me speaking to me on the pitch. I spoke to a couple of the ex pros and I said, ‘I don’t know how you go on playing football with that noise,’ and they said not even at the World Cup does it reach that level.
“It’s because all the kids are there and they’ve all got the Vuvuzelas and so on. It’s so loud, but it’s brilliant. As long I can hear Tyson I’ll be alright!”