MICHAEL Owen found himself in an unfamiliar role for the annual football match organised by his Malpas-based horse racing stables.
The Chester-born footballer was the referee as Manor House Stables took on the Super Saturday Syndicate at Malpas & District Sports Club on Tuesday night.
It proved to be a hugely one-sided clash as the Super Saturday Syndicate team ran riot beating Manor House Stables 9-1.
This was the third annual clash between the two sides, with the Super Saturday Syndicate now leading 2-1 in the series.
The victorious team consisted of Michael’s family and friends, including his father Terry who played for Chester during one of the club’s most successful periods in the 1970s.
His brother-in-law Richie Partridge – a former Liverpool and Chester City winger – also turned out for the winners and proved to be the key man netting six of their nine goals.
Following the game, Michael joked on Twitter: “Thankfully MHS are better riding horses than playing football!”
The Manchester United striker, 32, purchased Manor House Farm in Malpas in 2007 and co-owns the stables with Betfair founder Andrew Black. Tom Dascombe was appointed trainer in 2009 and the yard now has about 100 horses.
