Italian winger Daniele Mannini, 38, who after more than 200 Serie A matches (for Brescia, Siena, Sampdoria and Napoli) hasn’t played since January 2020, is a boost for Beverly Town, a modest formation of the Eastern League of the Northern Provinces – the equivalent of the 10th division in England – after walking his dog and casually meeting club president Mark Smith, who was also walking his pet.
Conversation leads to conversation, and Marc Smith has invited Daniele Mannini – who has faced Beckham, Totti, Ronaldinho and Ibrahimovic in Italy – to appear in the pre-season training sessions of the mediocre group, which has a history of only 22 years (established in 2000).
‘I’ve never dreamed of facing someone with so much experience’, Mark Smith, president of East Yorkshire FC, confirmed to the BBC, as Mannini has moved on to play his new professional role, since he left the field in January 2020. Then at Pentedera (Italy’s third division) : Sales Manager for a multinational food products company.
“His attitude, application and dedication to training have been ‘the best’: he is an inspiration to many,” Beverly Town head coach Dave Ricciardo, in turn, praised the performance in pre-season training for this unexpected boost, which was provided by an extraordinary opportunity of fate: a walk The dog at the same time the club president did the same when they started talking.
The debut for the “veteran” Manini – whose first team was Viareggio (Italy) 21 years ago (2001) – in Beverly Town should take place on August 30, against Uttersley. Expectations are high, or you won’t be the most famous signature in the group’s history.
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