Kids ask policeman to try football challenge and are gobsmacked by his reaction

Daily Mirror

19-05-2025

A police officer in Cheshire has gone viral after he was invited by a group of children to show off his football skills - and he certainly rose to the challenge much to their amazement
A policeman has taken the internet by storm with his unexpected display of footballing prowess which left onlookers stunned in a local park.
Encouraged by a group of lads in Cheshire, one youngster is heard in the viral clip egging on Nantwich Police's Sgt Matt Stonier: "Go on policeman. Come on." Rising to the challenge, the uniformed sergeant confidently approached the ball and with a skilled chip, celebrated striking the crossbar while the awestruck kids erupted in applause.
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Cracking a joke about the incident, Nantwich Police shared on Facebook: "Talk about pressure in Policing! When cops take on kids at the crossbar challenge there can only be one winner! Some say they're still celebrating now!"
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The post also complimented the well-mannered group of kids. They wrote: "What a great group from Y7s to late teens, all out in the sun playing the sport they love! Every single one of them polite, funny, interested in local Policing and couldn't have been more welcoming of Sgt Stonier's eagerness to join in!"
Adding to the commendations, the force threw in a humorous remark about the sergeant's footwear: "Thanks lads. And don't forget he's sporting patrol boots not preds [Adidas Predator football boots]! That would've certainly been his excuse had it missed!"
The video quickly went viral, prompting the force's media to hail: "Wow! What a reaction! 3.3 million views in just 36hrs! Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share such positive comments!"
They closed: "Any doubts we may have had over whether our engagement focussed approach was effective and still welcomed by the public have been well and truly settled!
One viewer who was clearly impressed by Sgt Stonier's community involvement, commented: "Lovely to see the banter with police and kids."
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Another Facebook user praised the initiative: "Great engagement there! Building trust and relationships! These kids will respect you."
A third person concurred: "Great to see the local Bobby doing his bit. Well done Nantwich police."
A fourth shared similar support: "Fabulous. Getting kids with police... They should never be afraid of them. Let's see our kids work hand in hand if possible. Certainly, we should have more like this."
And a fifth observer humorously noted: "I just noticed, that not only did he dink that crossbar with precision, engaging with the community and youth that will for sure remember that as a GOOD experience with the police, I literally saw in a single frame or so, that one of the kids are wearing the PC's hat!"