Mike Dickinson, head of Education and Welfare at Everton's Academy, recalls the boy wonder dropping into a defensive role and revelling in it against Newcastle United in the year 2000.
“He was asked to play centre-back in a play-off game at the Warren in Portstewart and he was superb,” says Mike who has been with Everton teams in Northern Ireland for many years.
The Blues were impressive as they beat the Magpies 2-1 to help make up for some of the disappointment of losing their quarter-final 3-0 to eventual title winners Charlton Athletic the night before.
Rooney, who scored a goal in a 2-1 victory over County Armagh earlier in the competition, lined up against a Geordie side that included defender Steven Taylor.
Of course, England international Wayne made a return to Milk Cup business along with manager David Moyes when the pair conducted the draw in Belfast in 2003. Wayne remembered his time at the tournament and praised the organisers for the high standard of entry