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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ricky Charlesworth

Man Utd and Liverpool legends set to play in Masters Football return including Paul Scholes

Masters Football was compulsive viewing back in the 2000s.

Sky Sports held the monopoly on the tournament, which was a chance for the stars of yesterday to show they still had the skills in their locker.

It was essentially six-a-side football, played indoors in front of crowds - and it earned a cult following between 2000 and 2011, usually staged in the off-season during June and July.

The plug was pulled on the tournament after crowds started to dwindle. Glasgow Rangers overcame Leeds United to win what would prove to be the final tournament - until now.

It was announced earlier this week that 360 Sports TV will be reviving Masters Football this summer.

Did you go and watch Masters Football the first time around? Let us know in the comments

Masters Football was a huge hit on Sky Sports in the 2000s (EMPICS Sport)

The tournament will be staged in Glasgow on the same iconic blue carpeted pitch. The competition is for players aged 35 and over

It has yet to be officially confirmed but ex-United stars Wes Brown and Paul Scholes and former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman are reported by SPORTbible to be involved in the tournament's big return.

There are just four teams confirmed for the return of Masters Football 2022 - Celtic, Rangers, Liverpool and Manchester United.

As before, they'll play two, eight-minute halves before a new winner is crowned following a round-robin format.

The concept of star players playing 6-a-side matches in front of crowds is set for a revival (EMPICS Sport)

Tony Woodcock, a two-time European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest, is a director and co-founder of 360 Sports TV.

“It just feels fantastic to bring Masters Football back to life," he said, speaking to SPORTbible.

"It has real history and there’s been a tremendous buzz over social media recently with petitions to revive the tournament.

"I played in the first ever series of Masters Football which immediately caught the attention of fans up and down the country who delighted in watching their heroes from the past showing off their skills once again.

“Now I'm so thrilled to be playing a part in bringing this iconic tournament back to the viewing public."

Woodcock's former Forest colleague and ex-Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is also involved with 360 Sports - along with current Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Adam Lallana.

Celtic and Rangers are also likely to have a clutch of high-profile players of yesteryear ready to dust off their boots.

O'Neill added: “You can't get any bigger rivalries than between Celtic and Rangers and Man United and Liverpool.

Masters Football often saw rival teams take part in scaled-down grudge matches (EMPICS Sport)

"It's going to be brilliant that Masters Football is coming back to our screens. I can't wait for it to come back to Glasgow where I have many happy memories and many friends.

"It's great that the fans will be able to watch such an iconic tournament once again with such fabulous football heritage.

"I'm looking forward to being in Glasgow in July, it should be a really fantastic evening."

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