IT is not every day you see a true football legend appearing in your city.

Former England and Manchester United superstar Wayne Rooney did just that when he was seen in Bradford yesterday.

The retired footballer - who holds the goalscoring record not only for the Red Devils, but for his country too - was in Buttershaw watching his son Kai, 12, play for Manchester Schools against Bradford Schools.

Parents and their youngsters were thrilled to see Derby County boss Rooney, 36, on the playing fields at Buttershaw Business & Enterprise College Academy and made sure to take plenty of pictures which will be savoured for a lifetime.

One man who, unfortunately, missed out on that opportunity was Bradford Schools leader Lee Walker.

The hardcore Man Utd supporter was unable to attend the match as he is isolating due to Covid-19 meaning co-leader Gary Ratnik had to step in.

Although Lee was disappointed, he was glad the kids enjoyed the five-time Premier League winner's company.

He said: "Rooney is my hero and I was gutted that I could not be there.

"We played Manchester over in Liverpool in a tournament and Coleen (Rooney) was there watching Kai that time.

"Yesterday, with it being in Buttershaw, I was thinking this is going to be ace if Wayne turns up.

"Apparently, he was brilliant with all the kids coming out and getting pictures with him.

"It is good for Bradford too having Wayne Rooney visit."

After a much-maligned absence of several years, Bradford Schools football returned in 2019, with the city's finest young players coming together to take on the rest of the county.

The English Schools Football Association (ESFA) was founded more than 100 years ago, with many gems, such as Rooney himself, discovered through the system.

Bradford had teams competing in these FA tournaments into the early 2000s, until a lack of funding forced them to withdraw.

Since returning, the finest young footballers around are now getting the chance to show off their skills by representing the city.

Lee helped to reform Bradford Schools and he added: "It is the best of Bradford basically.

"Schools send their kids in for trials and we select the best players for each age group and play fixtures in Yorkshire. It was a cup game against Manchester yesterday.

"I was part of starting Bradford Schools up again, so it absolutely broke my heart not being there yesterday."

Despite Callum Schofield and Legend Depass-Caine grabbing goals for the Gary Serrant and Gavin Schofield managed Bradford under-12s, it was both Rooneys who left West Yorkshire delighted following the visitors' 5-2 win.