PAUL Scholes could be on course to add another honour to a collection that includes two Champions League winners’ medals and 11 Premier League titles.
And the former Manchester United and England midfielder is back among the goals just two games into his shock comeback.
Saddleworth-based Paul, 43 in November, caused a stir with his return to action for Royton Town in their Manchester League premier division fixture at Stockport Georgians earlier this month
Now Correspondent Sport can reveal he’s played again after that 1-0 defeat, scoring for Town in a Lancashire FA Amateur Shield home tie against Poulton FC from the West Lancashire League.
The match finished 1-1 but Royton won 5-3 on penalties with Paul, scorer of 107 goals in 499 Premier League appearances, netting in the shootout.
With a little help from the ‘Ginger Pele’ Town now travel to Slyne with Hest, near Lancaster, on October 13 for a last 16 game.
Other future opponents could include: Euxton Villa, Thornton Cleveleys or even mighty Tempest United!
“Poulton were asking us ‘is he going to play, is he going to play?’,” laughed Royton chairman, Gary Leeming.
“But we didn’t know ourselves until about quarter to one after his son, Arron, cried off with a stomach bug.
“‘Tank’ (manager Mark Howard) got in touch with Paul and asked if he could help us out because we were a bit short.
“He just said, ‘I’d had a few beers last night but of course I will’.
“He has qualified now to play in that competition so he could be playing again, especially when we are short. He is signed on and is the easiest signing we have ever done.
“The League thought it was a wind-up when we registered Paul especially the bit where it says: ‘former club Manchester United’.”
Manchester League President John Hyde has also been impressed with the unexpected publicity generated by Paul’s comeback.
“I know Paul is no stranger to the League having seen him several times at different grounds watching his son play,” said John.
“But it is comforting to know that at least some of the “Galacticos” remember their footballing roots.”
Royton Town, without Paul, secured a 4-1 win at home against East Manchester ensuring they stay in fourth place in the premier division.
Michael Moss scored twice with Daniel Gilmartin and Robert Flynn scoring the others at the Oldham Academy.