Hundreds of young people travelled to St George's Park this summer to follow in the footsteps of their England heroes as they took part in the latest Premier League Kicks Cup.
The players were representing professional football clubs from across England and Wales, wearing first-team kits and taking part in fixtures refereed by Premier League, English Football League and Women's Super League match officials.
The Premier League Kicks Cup celebrates the year-round work of the Premier League's flagship community programme and highlights how it supports young people to grow and reach their potential.
We spoke with some of the people taking part at St George's Park to find out what they made of a special day.
Ahize, West Bromwich Albion
"This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our skills in front of different coaches, different players, being able to play against people you probably haven't come up against before.
"I was really excited when I found out I was coming here. This is the place where England stars have been able to play. This is something that helps me aspire to reach levels I want to reach.
"Football is not just about kicking the ball. It really builds you as a person. How you speak to people and how you deal with different situations. Football is something that helps me in my day-to-day life and everything I do.
"I've been doing Premier League Kicks for a good three, four years now. I started because one of my mates invited me down for a kickabout. The environment was really calm, it was cool. It really helps with stress and things like that. Premier League Kicks has really helped me.
"Premier League Kicks means love. It's is a very inclusive thing. It's for everyone, all genders, girls, boys, any age. I feel like everyone is able to come together and then have fun."
Will, Chesterfield
"I've been with the club for about four years now and it's helped me in so many ways, first by building my confidence on the pitch and helping me express myself without worrying about injury but it's also helped me personally.
"About two years ago, I was going through some personal issues, more around self-confidence. They really took me in, invited me to sessions, helped me talk through things and find ways to work through it.
"It feels good now to see how far I've come. They've done so much more than just let me play football, they brought us together, made us stronger as a group. That's what makes it special. Football's the starting point but what's even more beautiful is the support and the stories behind it all."
Nick Williams, high school partnership officer, Manchester United Foundation
"It's a great programme. I did Premier League Kicks myself when I was younger and now I'm 30, bringing my own participants here. That's huge for me.
"Especially for the kids we work with in Bury, many of them are from challenging backgrounds. They're never going to get an opportunity like this again, to come and play at St George's Park. It's massive.
"Growing up in Manchester, there were a lot of challenges; knife crime was, and still is, a big issue. I can relate to that, which is why I think this programme matters. When they step out onto pitches like this, playing at this level, it opens their eyes to what's possible. It shows them there's a next level.
"This experience has been unforgettable. For me and for them, just being here is a massive opportunity none of us will forget."
Amadeo, Liverpool
"I have been with Premier League Kicks for about a year now and it has helped me greatly. I've had specialists and coaches that support me with my technique but more than that, I feel like I'm part of a family. It's a great environment.
"Being here is really exciting. It feels like a dream. I've never been in a situation where I'm part of a squad that represents a city like Liverpool, it's a bit surreal. I'm proud to be part of it.
"I've played a lot of sports but football has always felt different. I've never experienced such a strong sense of togetherness anywhere else. The coaches, the players, the advice I get every week… it just feels like home."
Joe, Everton
"There were loads of good teams but we battled all the way, stuck together, and I think that's why we won. The night before we all stayed over nearby, so we were fresh and ready to go.
"We were brilliant. Everyone played well, we only conceded one goal the whole tournament, and that was in the final. We started strong, which isn't always the case, but today we came out sharp and stayed solid all the way through.
"This team is special because of our chemistry and strength. We know each other’s games, and we used our strengths properly. We worked together and just had that connection.
"Premier League Kicks means everything to me. It's helped me develop, not just as a footballer but as a person. Through Everton in the Community I've even managed to get a job. I've met so many good people, the staff treat me well and they gave me the chance to play football."
Michael, Charlton Athletic
"I started Premier League Kicks three years ago. It was a very welcoming environment. You can make a lot of friends. Sometimes when you're feeling a bit lonely at home, you always have somewhere to go. It's something to look forward to.
"It's got me to places like St George's Park which is every footballer's dream. It's made me feel so happy about myself, making new friends, going to different places. It's amazing.
"I've changed a lot since being a part of the programme. I wasn't really involved in Charlton Athletic Community Trust but the fact I'm doing a big role in the stakeholder event here, it means I've come so far.
"Premier League Kicks set up initiatives to help us look at different careers and opportunities to help us have a much more sustainable and flourishing future. It's a huge thing.
"It is a safe haven. It's somewhere where you can just showcase our skills, have fun and relax. It's something that can really take your mind off things if something's not going well for you."
Mike Donnan, Premier League Kicks coach, Stockport County Community Trust
"I just love working with kids, being part of their journey. I believe football should be free and accessible for everyone. If I can get a ball at a child's feet and help guide them in a better direction, that's what it’s all about. That's why I coach, why I do grassroots and why I do what I do with the club.
"It's so important for these young people to have something positive to focus on. Things can get rough where we are. Some of them could go down the wrong path.
"If there is a risk of that happening, I'll have a word with them straight away. I'll say, 'Why are you doing that? You've got talent, you're a good footballer. Is your mate doing it? Does your mate play football?' Most of the time, the answer's no. So I remind them they've got a real opportunity. That football could take them places."
Will, Morecambe
"Premier League Kicks helped me massively. It's something to do, something positive. It's opened up opportunities not just for football and my social life but also for my education.
"Through Morecambe FC Community Foundation, I've been able to do my Duke of Edinburgh Award, volunteer as a coach, it's been brilliant.
"Premier League Kicks is something I always look forward to. Me and my mates are like, 'It's Kicks tonight, let's go, let's have a laugh.' It's never negative, it's always focused, always supportive. It includes everyone and helps people really understand each other better.
"Without Premier League Kicks, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet the people I've met, play the games I've played, or learn the skills I've learned. And now I'm standing here at the home of the England team, all because of it."
Ryan, Reading
"With Premier League Kicks, you get to enjoy football with your community. Everyone loves football, so you can bond with people, make new friends and support each other.
"It's a way to get away from any problems. Premier League Kicks helps people, it's an escape from whatever they're facing in life and gives them a chance to have fun and play.
"For me, it's free football, I can come, play and improve. From when I started three years ago to now, I've seen a massive improvement in my game and in our local area the programme has grown massively. Now we've got big numbers every week. It's been really good."
Kadeem Jordan, Youth Engagement Coach, The Albion Foundation
"I used to be a Premier League Kicks participant and now I am a coach. When I was growing up, we didn't have opportunities like this, playing at St George's Park, where the England players actually train, taking part in a tournament on that pitch. It's amazing to see.
"Events like this just didn't exist at that scale. It's been refreshing and exciting to now be part of it on the other side. I'm really looking forward to seeing even more Premier League events like this in the future.
"Being a part of this excites the participants, definitely. It gives them something to look forward to. It keeps them disciplined, it gives them structure and purpose.
"For me, Premier League Kicks means community and family. That's exactly what we're about at the Foundation; making sure everyone in our area feels part of something. We're all about growing our own and giving back to our people."
Korey, Plymouth Argyle
"It's amazing being here and representing Argyle Community Trust. It opens up new things and getting these opportunities is fantastic. I can't believe I am part of something as big as this.
"I've played football for so long and this is a big achievement. Marcus Rashford is my favourite player and now I get to play at the same place he's played.
"Being here gives me excitement. I can tell all my mates. I can tell my dad especially, and make him proud.
"It makes it a bit more special because it feels like sometimes we are underestimated and a bit forgotten about because Plymouth is so far away from everyone.
"I started with Premier League Kicks about three or four years ago. It's done a lot for me. It's made me better, I'm speaking to a lot of new people. It's made me a lot happier. I love playing football with this group. Premier League Kicks means everything to me."
What is Premier League Kicks?
Funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Charitable Fund, Premier League Kicks uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas in England and Wales.
More than half a million people have benefited to date.