Preston star Whaley spreads road safety message

11:15am Friday 25th April 2008

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Preston North End winger Whaley was the star of the show this week -though it was an off-field performance that earned him the accolades on this occasion.

Kennington Primary School, Fulwood, was rewarded for its commitment to road safety with a visit from the Preston North End FC star.

Whaley presented the school with 50 match tickets, for this weekend's home clash against Ipswich Town. The tickets were donated by PNE as part of Lancashire County Council Road Safety Group's player sponsorship package.

Clare Farrer, Deputy Road Safety Group Manager, said: "Kennington Primary School fully deserved their tickets to watch the match. Their commitment to road safety is excellent and they have been keen to work with the Road S afety Group to help make their pupils safer on the roads.

"The school has taken part in the Right Start Child Pedestrian Training Programme and the Passport to Safer Cycling Scheme, which is part of the Journey's toolkit created by the Road Safety Group. Journeys' was designed to help head teachers, teachers and governors include road safety in the school curriculum."

Whaley admitted some interesting secrets to the children aged between four and 11, telling them the worst injury he's ever had was a broken leg at the age of 15, and claimed that he'd probably be a fireman if he hadn't taken the path of becoming a professional footballer.

He also revealed to the excited youngsters that the most embarrassing moment of his career so far, was the fateful afternoon he missed a penalty against Portsmouth in the FA Cup earlier this season.

Whaley also took time out to pose for photos with some of the children and Viv ien Clayton, representing the Lancashire County Council Road Safety Group, as he handed over his signed home and away shirts from the current season.