AMATEUR footballers can often only dream of playing on pitches graced by the highly paid stars of the Premier League.

But for two community teams from Greater Manchester that became a reality today (Monday, May 20) - when they travelled to the North-East to play on the hallowed  St James’ Park turf.

The end of the football season may have seen the heart-breaking relegation of Wigan Athletic, despite their FA Cup winning exploits, but today belonged to two of the town’s lesser known teams.

Wigan Cosmos and Wigan Goose Green FC were invited to play at Newcastle United's famous ground to make amends after visiting Geordie fans trashed their pitch in March as they went to watch Newcastle play Athletic.

Cosmos manager John Pendlebury said: “It is like Christmas Day for the lads. They have been so excited. I don’t think any of them have slept.

“They were like big kids on the coach coming up. The club has put things right. We have gone from our last match of the season, playing on a field to playing at St James’ Park.

"It is unbelievable. We hope an occasion like this will inspire them.”

Both sides play in the South Lancashire Counties Football League and were in good spirits for local derby clash away from home at the Magpies' stadium.

Goose Green, who play in green strips with black shorts, and formed in 1989, lost out 2-0 to local rivals Wigan Cosmos, which was founded in 2004, sporting white shirts with navy blue shorts.

Goose Green manager Colin Clark has followed in the footsteps of Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson by announcing his retirement and the game in Newcastle was his last.

He said: “It is a once in a lifetime thing and, since everything that happened, Newcastle has been fantastic.

“The way it has been dealt with has been first class. This is my last day so it is nice to take some of this in before I go.”

The game was a favour for the clubs after Newcastle hooligans ruined both teams’ non-league games being played near Wigan Athletic's DW Stadium by running on the pitches, dropping their trousers, ripping out nets and trying to break goalposts by swinging on the crossbars.

A Newcastle united spokesman said: “It was extremely disappointing to hear about the incidents which affected both clubs prior to our fixture at the DW Stadium in March. These are clubs which exist because of the hard work and dedication of volunteers and they deserve the same respect as any other club, whether professional or at grassroots level.

“We are delighted that the clubs accepted our invitation to visit us and play at St James’ Park and we wish them every success for next season and beyond.”