The Chilean miners who gained worldwide fame when they survived more than two months trapped underground earlier this year enjoyed a reception on Monday night at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, dpa reported.
The miners, who were lifted to safety in a tiny capsule from 700 metres below the surface to escape the San Jose copper mine, were given Manchester United shirts and took to the pitch before United's Premier League clash with Arsenal.
The British visit, in which most of the 33 miners participated, was the suggestion of United star Sir Bobby Charlton, who survived Man U's 1958 Munich air crash and whose father was a miner in Ashington, Northumberland.
The miners met United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and a number of players including star striker Wayne Rooney.
"These are people who showed real substance and perseverance to make sure they survived," Ferguson said.
"There are examples in life, which you should always take note of. I mean, the life of a miner, having to work in the bowels of the earth and not being able to see anything - that's a great sacrifice to earn your living. I'm sure they'll enjoy themselves on their trip."
One of the men, Omar Reygadas, said: "It's an honour to be at Old Trafford. It's the theatre of dreams, and we have only seen it on television. We are very glad and excited to watch the match against Arsenal. We have got enough footballers to make a team and maybe play Manchester United."
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