MUCH has been written about the plight of the English game in recent months, so what better solution than to let a former World Cup winner and a host of ex-pros coach a group of eager youngsters?

Well that is exactly what happened in Sevenoaks last week for the first ever Ossie Soccer School – the brainchild of organiser Sam Goode.

SHOULD KNOW BETTER: (left to right) Sports editor Glenn Garrett (right) and sports-writer Jon Harvey (right) attempted to parade their football skills at the Ossie Ardiles Soccer School, but were found wanting; Ossie Ardiles runs the rule over two of the young footballers
STARS OF THE FUTURE: Action from the week-long Ossie Ardiles Soccer School, held at Greatness Park; (far right) Joe Burden, who was picked out by Ardiles for his exceptional talent
PARDON MICKEY? Ossie Ardiles (sitting next to the FA Cup) and Mickey Hazard share a joke at the Ossie Soccer School before a question and answer session with the children

The man himself, Spurs legend Ossie Ardiles was there, along with old White Hart Lane men such as Mickey Hazard, Graham Roberts and Steve Sedgley.

And it proved to be a massive hit with the footballers of tomorrow. It wasn't all about kicking a football around, although there was a fair bit of that.

There was a question and answer session with Ossie, while a nutritionist also popped in to give the juniors some advice on healthy living.

"The idea was to give the kids something to do in the holidays," Hazard said. "Everyone loves football and this year the kids have been buzzing after seeing the greatest players performing at the World Cup.

"These things have been done before, but not necessarily out in the sticks. We've come out here and seen so many youngsters who are actually good footballers. A couple are out of this world. There was an 11-year-old here who was mind-blowing.

"It has given them something to do and has got them off the streets. And then you've got a superstar like Ossie here.

"He's a World Cup winner. It is so surreal. Who would have thought an Argentine World Cup winner would be hosting a soccer school in Sevenoaks?"

Of course, Ardiles was the star of the show and he was impressed with what he saw. He also relayed to the youngsters how important it is to work on technique, a facet of the game so often ignored in England.

"At the moment, what is wrong with the English game is the way you coach," Ardiles said.

"The quality of coaching is very, very important indeed. The youngsters need to work on technique in games, but there is this pressure to win all the time.

"When you are young you need to master skills. The better you are in that department, the better player you will be."

Sadly, it seems technique was lacking for two players that joined in a session on Friday morning.

Perhaps a little bit old to improve in that department, sports editor Glenn Garrett and sports writer Jon Harvey, were certainly willing to get stuck in, as Hazard put it.

Singled out for some punishing training by the former Spurs midfielder, the duo were also out run by the 11-year-olds.

Their display was perfectly summed up by Ardiles who said "you two did not look very fit!"

Maybe not, but I don't think our showing can be used as a yardstick for the state of English football, or can it?