James Blunt enjoys kickaround with Gold Coast locals

AHEAD of his concert tonight at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, international singer-songwriter James Blunt and his band warmed up with a seven-a-side soccer game with some lucky Gold Coast locals at Coomera Soccer Club last night.

The kick-around was organised via Gold Coast Soccer Director of Coaching, Pat Hedges, whose close friend Gary French spent time in the USA playing football with some of the world's leading musical names.

Blunt, famous for penning the world-wide hit "You're Beautiful', was forced to watch the action from the sidelines after suffering a broken finger at a recent concert, but his full band took part in the game that ended in a thrilling 6-6 draw!

"My friend Gary French spent over ten years in the states and used to be involved with games for the band Coldplay," Hedges said.

He continued: "A lot of the bands like to play football and they're often looking for a game when they tour overseas to keep fit and enjoy themselves.

"A few conversations took place and we were able to get a few guys together to have a match with them. It was great fun and they had a really good time with us; in fact, they had some very good players.

"They only flew into Brisbane at 6.30pm last night and came straight to the field to play us; that's how keen they were to kick a ball around, they didn't even bother going to their hotel first."

Following the game the two sides enjoyed a few social beers from an esky outside the clubhouse before Blunt and his band departed to prepare for the Brisbane leg of their Australian tour tonight.

"James was gutted that he couldn't play," said Hedges.

"He was a really nice guy and apparently he always plays for the opposition when they do this kind of thing and doesn't mind getting stuck into a few tough tackles. His band said he is a very competitive bloke," he added.