FA Cup record breaker Curtis Weston might get closer to his idol Paul Scholes today than he did facing him in the 2004 final for Millwall against Manchester United.
Weston made history when he replaced Dennis Wise aged 17 years 119 days and remains the youngest player ever to appear in an FA Cup Final.
Half a lifetime later, he’s still playing for National League leaders Chesterfield while his opponents that day Gary Neville, Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt own Salford.
In a neat twist, the two clubs meet in the second round this afternoon for the unlikeliest of reunions.
‘I didn’t expect to be a substitute in the cup final let alone get on the pitch,’ recalls Weston about his big moment.
‘I grew up a United fan and Paul Scholes was my favourite player so it was extra-special. I did as much jogging on the touchline as I could to get the best view, Cristiano Ronaldo doing rabonas and all that stuff.
‘The first thing I did coming on was run towards Scholes. I looked at him, looked at the ball, looked back again and he was gone. I realised the difference in levels with the top players. I made a point of trying to get a slide tackle on Ruud van Nistelrooy just to get close to someone.’
In 2004, Weston became the youngest ever player to appear in an FA Cup final
Although United won the game 3-0, Weston’s late appearance made headlines.
He’d joined Millwall at 14 after they’d seen him score from the halfway line for his school team in Kent but he’d only made his first-team debut as a substitute a fortnight before the final, against Bradford.
‘I did OK so they kept me in the squad, it just happened to be the next game was the FA Cup Final,’ he smiles.
‘There was still no expectation of me playing so there wasn’t any noise about me becoming the youngest player. I didn’t even know until I was in the dressing-room afterwards and my team-mate Darren Ward spotted the existing record in the programme.
However, he was on the losing side as Manchester United beat Millwall 3-0 in Cardiff
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the opener, before Ruud Van Nistelrooy grabbed a brace
‘Wisey was player-manager and I think he shouted towards Ray Wilkins (his assistant) that he was coming off and the kid should come on.
‘So Ray called me over and told me to get ready. I was nervous even
