Hundreds of schoolchildren had the experience of a lifetime recently at this year's Premier League Primary Stars Football Tournament.
After coming through local qualifying for the right to represent their Premier League club, a total of 40 schools then played on a top-flight pitch at the home of Wolverhampton Wanderers, wore their club's kit, came out of the players tunnel and competed under the supervision of Premier League and Women's Super League officials.
Newcastle United's Valley Gardens Middle School won the under-11 girls' competition while Wolfson Hillel Primary School claimed the under-11 mixed trophy for Tottenham Hotspur.
The event was about far more than the action on the pitch, however. We spoke to some of the players, teachers, coaches and referees to find out what being part of a special day meant to them.
Zara, Ipswich Town
"We're very lucky to have got this far. Our whole team is a friend group, we've known each other since reception, so it's really nice to be travelling with them. We were excited and nervous when we got here but the atmosphere is incredible.
"Being at an event like this gives me hope. If I can achieve this, I can achieve other things in the future. I know what I'm capable of now. Everyone is really supportive.
"I am very proud of myself and I feel like I can do a lot more than I thought I would be able to.
"You want to win but it's not all about that. It's also about the experience, team-mates, making friendships and memories.
"It was amazing to walk past the Premier League Trophy. You see people on TV doing it and I never thought I would be here.
"We've just got to give it our all because it's probably the last time that we'll all be playing together. It's a special moment because we are all going to different high schools. We won't really get to play like this again. It's a really nice experience.
"We would have thought about taking part in something like this only in our dreams... but those dreams have come true."
Tom Heaton, parent and Manchester United goalkeeper
"Turning up here today at a Premier League Stadium, going through the incredible experience of walking out the tunnel, seeing the dressing rooms, it's just an absolutely brilliant day.
"We all know how football can bring people together and give people experiences and enjoyment. Seeing these children have a day like this, to be able to have a Premier League football experience, with their school friends, representing a Premier League club and their school, it's been absolutely phenomenal.
"It's a day they will never forget. With it being the final year of primary school, it will bring the groups together and give them a memory to take with them.
"It's also opening the door of what's possible, giving the kids some confidence and belief in what they're doing as well as real positive energy that can lead them on to whatever they want to do."
Read more: 'Premier League Primary Stars tournament opens the door of possibility'
Freya and Tegan, Aston Villa
Freya: "It is really good being here. I've always wanted to be a footballer. My grandad played football professionally, so he's taught me properly.
"When we were told the week before the tournament that we were coming here, I literally jumped out of my skin. I didn't think this would happen.
"I'm playing where someone like Marcus Rashford played not long ago... it's really good. Some boys say girls can't play football but we clearly can, because we have our own tournament, representing a professional football team.
"We've played a lot of tournaments together and this is our last one. It's a special moment and I want to treasure it."
Tegan: "Being here is amazing. I was a bit nervous to walk through the tunnel but I felt like a professional footballer. It's fun being here with my friends.
"Playing football makes me feel more active and stronger. I've been playing with Freya since I was in Year 3 so to be here with her is really good.
"We've all been waiting for this moment because we are so excited. Aston Villa are my dream team so to represent them is fantastic. I am going to dream about today."
Jacob, West Ham United
"It's a very special day for me because I've never done this before. Playing on a pitch like this makes me very confident as not many people have an opportunity to play in a stadium, representing a Premier League team.
"Being in a tournament like this can help you focus on at school, because If something happens in the week and then you have a game, it makes you feel much happier.
"When I started playing, people tried to make fun of me because they didn't like how I played. But now, I am the captain, and it feels great that I've proved them wrong.
"Playing in a big stadium with lots of people watching, will give me the confidence to make friends and try to get into a team at secondary school."
Jordanna Roberts, Premier League Primary Stars manager, Manchester United Foundation
"This is a day that the participants will never forget and neither will their families. They'll tell their grandkids about it. It's an amazing experience for them to think, 'I've made it.' It's just unbelievable. They will probably be friends for life in the team because they experienced it together.
"The children mix with different clubs and get to make new friends. The evening before the tournament we were in the hotel with the teams from Arsenal and Newcastle United and they were playing five-a-side.
"I've been to about five or six of these tournaments now and every time the players come out of the tunnel with the flags, I get goosebumps. I can only imagine how I would feel if I was them, how excited and how buzzing I would be.
"It makes me happy, it brings me joy. It is the best day of the year for me, without fail.
"For me, Premier League Primary Stars works because of the power of the badge. Children instantly recognise it, even if they're not a football fan, and they automatically listen because it's something different.
"This event shows that everyone's exactly the same. Girls should be treated like the boys and that's exactly what's happening here. There's no difference."
Josiah, Arsenal
"The long journey was worth it because today has been really fun. I have enjoyed every moment. It's a dream to play on this pitch. All of us have worked very hard to get to this stadium and next year we'll try to do it again.
"It was incredible to pull up to the stadium this morning. I want to be a professional footballer so I have always thought about doing something like this.
"Walking past the Premier League Trophy made me feel like I want to win it one day. I am learning a lot of lessons. It shows me that you have to work hard. This inspires me and gives me confidence.
"It's wonderful to have the Arsenal girls team from our school here as well. It's history. We were all playing football together at the hotel, it was brilliant. We have all been supporting each other.
"It's a dream come true being here. It's my first time playing at a stadium. It's really exciting and gives me a taste of wanting to do more."
Holly, Newcastle United's winning goalkeeper
"When I saved the winning penalty and my friends came running over to me, it felt like a dream.
"I don't like penalties. I would never want to do them. But when it comes to that point, I would go through it because you don't want to let your team down.
"When I lifted the trophy I kept my mind clear. I felt like I needed to enjoy the moment. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"To think loads of professionals have played on this pitch and now we're playing here, it's really good.
"This tournament lifts girls football. Girls didn't always get a chance to play. It's got better but it still hasn't got to an equal amount so it's good that things like this tournament are happening."
Darren England, Premier League referee
"It's a great day for everyone involved. The quality and sportsmanship have been fantastic. All the players have played with a smile on their face. It's a memorable day for us too. It's a good opportunity for us to take a part in something like this and to give something back.
"I used to work in the community sector so to see all this coming together is fantastic. Hopefully this will inspire the players and provide them with memories. I'm pretty sure that we'll be seeing some of them in the Women's Super League and the Premier League in years to come. The quality on display is superb.
"Football's an unbelievable vehicle for people to be inspired by, to work together as a team, it has such a positive impact, not just on the field but off it as well.
"My takeaway from this is not to underestimate the power of football as well as the brand of the Premier League and the football clubs that these children are representing. It's really powerful, it can inspire so many people."
Cooper, Tottenham Hotspur's winning striker and tournament top scorer
"It's such a good feeling when you lift a trophy. It's for everyone who helped us here. We worked as a team, there's no individual that really did it for us. It was just incredible.
"The final was very scary, especially when it went to penalties. When that winning penalty went in, I was just feeling happiness all over, joy. I was also feeling grateful, to the goalkeeper that saved the winning penalty and all of my team that helped.
"It gives me lots of confidence in my future in football and it helps everyone else out as well. A lot of the kids here, they are really good but sometimes they don't get the chance to play. They all deserve that chance.
"When I turned up this morning, I felt like I was a professional footballer. It was just so cool."
Lorna, Southampton
"This is really fun and cool because you're with your friends and you're playing against other schools. Playing at a Premier League stadium is something that I'll remember for ages, not many people get this chance.
"Every team is really good, they're very challenging teams. Some of the players here are the best in their counties so experiencing this will give me a lot more confidence.
"Walking through the tunnel was incredible, all the parents and fans were there and you're with all the other children that have qualified. It was a real wow moment.
"I'm definitely going to continue playing football and I hope to do even more things like this. It's given me a boost to carry on. I want to play for as long as possible."
George Unwin, class teacher, Crofton Junior School, Crystal Palace
"Premier League Primary Stars has a massive impact at our school because it's not just the football aspect, it's also in the classroom. For example the Palace for Life Foundation work with reluctant readers in Year 6 and deliver maths activities with our Year 2s.
"Anything to do with Crystal Palace is absolute gold dust, the kids are so engaged. The girls and boys teams have absolutely loved what Crystal Palace has done for them.
"Some of the boys, their dream is to play for Crystal Palace - they're living it today. I've never seen a group of lads so excited about a sports competition. I've never seen so much energy on the coach. They've loved every second of it.
"I don't think they will understand this until they are older. They will be telling their kids, grandkids that they played on a professional pitch, about scoring a goal and the experiences that they have had.
"As a team they've really come together and they're learning important skills. We've noticed that it's had a positive effect on their learning. Academically they are getting on a lot better because they've got this team dynamic around them. They're supporting each other."
About Premier League Primary Stars
Premier League Primary Stars is the Premier League's primary school education programme, using the appeal of football to support children to be active and develop essential life skills. It is available to every primary school in England and Wales, with over 19,000 schools engaged with the programme. More than 1.3million school sessions and events have already been delivered.
Funded by the Premier League, through the Premier League Charitable Fund, the programme has enabled over 70,000 teachers to use resources for English, PSHE, PE and Maths, to help children to be active and develop essential life skills. There are 650+ free resources available.
To find out more about delivering the programme in your school, please visit plprimarystars.com.