It's not every day that a bunch of amateur players plying their trade in the Ormskirk and District Sunday League get a one-to-one session with a coach schooled in the 'Liverpool Way'.
But that's exactly what Maghull Community Association FC were treated to when Lucozade Sport provided them with a dream chance to be put through their paces by the Reds' Academy coach Stuart Gelling recently.
The non-league outfit won a competition to become one of 80 amateur side's across the country to take part in the Lucozade Sport Performance League and win a Barclays Premier League club-style sponsorship package for the season. And after being crowned the LSPL's team of the month, they were sent to Liverpool's youth base in Kirkby for a lesson in tactics.
"It was important that they enjoyed it and I think they did," said Gelling after a two hour session in which he instilled some added tactical nous into the Maghull players.
"It was nice to be able to share my experience with these lads, particularly as we all start out at amateur level somewhere along the line."
So what exactly did Gelling do to try and inspire improvement from a side already currently lying 25h in LSPL standings?
"Well, first of all I worked on defensive shape with them. This involved showing them where they should be in relation to the ball. We then developed it from there to their attacking play and how to play through a back four.
"I think it was great that they had the opportunity to come here. The Lucozade Sport Performance League is important because people who come to support Liverpool and other Premier League teams should feel part of the bigger picture.
"It's a pleasure to be involved with the project and be able to give something back to the supporters."
Maghull's bid to gain promotion to the Ormskirk and District League's Premier Division still remains on track despite a number of frustrating defeats over the past few games.
The Macca lie second in the table and with Gelling's advice now in their armoury, boss Neil Marten is confident the players can go on to reach new heights.
"We won a talkSport radio competition in the summer to play in the Lucozade Sport Performance League and receive all this top-flight support," he said when we asked him to explain his side's special appearance at the Academy.
"Fitness-wise the lads are already in good shape and they conduct themselves very well on and off the pitch. But I think the tactical pointers we have picked up from Stuart will give us a good idea of what to do and what not to do.
"The lads were dying to get up here and show what they can do. We've been doing okay in the league so far this year and hopefully this will give us the boost to go on and do even better in the second-half of the season."
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