Plymouth accused of 'conning' fans as Wayne Rooney misses meet & greet Christmas event for kids to 'swan about Christmas markets' with wife Coleen

Former Manchester United and England striker Rooney has done of good job of embedding himself into the community at Plymouth, even stunning locals with a karaoke performance at a pub in August, but things appear to be turning due to the club's on-pitch performances and the 39-year-old's absence from a planned Christmas event for kids this week.

Young Plymouth supporters were set to meet Rooney and his first-team players at a meet-and-greet, but parents were informed the night before that the head coach couldn't make the event. Rooney's wife, I'm a Celebrity runner-up Coleen, then posted a photo of herself and Rooney at Manchester Christmas Markets, sparking anger from some Plymouth fans.

IG (@coleen_rooney)

"There’s some Christmas celebration taking place today for kids - meet and greet the players and manager etc at £40 a pop," wrote @Element_M1ller on X. "Parents got an email last night saying Wayne Rooney couldn’t make it today. He’s swanning around Christmas Markets with the family. Absolute con. It was £25 last year. Jumped up to £40 this year. To meet the players and all staff. I wonder who we’ve hired to make the club think they can cash in on a £15 price increase?"

@kenadams777 complained: "Club is a circus."

Meanwhile, @epicfail2048 wrote: "That’s very very poor. They ought to be doing this sort of stuff for free anyway but just goes to show, unless you are paying for hospitality you don't matter."

@Dezzi_Searle added: "Regular occurrence him cancelling meet and greets. Was supposed to go to my niece's school a few weeks back and cancelled on the day."

While frustrating for the fans, Rooney can get them back on his side by picking up wins on the pitch. That's something he's struggled to do this season, though - Plymouth have won just four of 20 games in the Championship, and they lie 23rd in the table. The Pilgrims host Middlesbrough next on Saturday afternoon.