BOLTON Wanderers players took time out of their training schedule to help raise standards in the classroom.

The soccer stars took part in a Go Global event, organised by study group Study@BWFC.

One hundred school children from Bolton’s primary and secondary schools packed the Wanderers Suite at the club’s Reebok Stadium to quiz international players Ricardo Gardner, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Martin Petrov and Tuncay Sanli on their homelands, cultures, language, as well as taste food from their countries.

Janet Rhodes, manager for Study@BWFC said: “It is a unique opportunity for school children to meet their heroes from the local team.

“A lot of preparation goes into this, the children prepare their question and practise the language.

“It is a fantastic session in which the players support the education of the children.”

Turkish international striker Tuncay said: “I have enjoyed talking to the children very much, I have not taken part in something like this and it is very different for me. It is important children learn about different cultures and traditions.”

Burnden Davidson, aged 13 — named after Bolton Wanderers’ former ground — from Mount St Joseph in Farnworth, said: “It’s a really good opportunity to find out about the background of the players, it is really interesting. I was glad to have had the chance to come here.”

Classmate Nathan Woodcock, aged 13, added: “It has been educational and a good experience talking to players. I am interested in languages so this has been good.”

During their session, the youngsters found out the player was Muslim and even exchanged a few Arabic greetings.

Jamaican born Ricardo Gardner said: “It is good for children to want to know about cultures outside of England. Taking part for me has been a pleasure.”

Inquisitive youngsters quizzed the player on the beaches in Jamaica and the quality of football stadiums.

Isa Silver, aged 10, from SS Peter and Paul’s RC Primary School in Bolton, said: “I asked him what it was like coming from a sunny country to rainy England.”