With a long career in the Premier League under his belt, James Milner has come across opponents of all shapes and sizes in the last decade.
But in what must have been a first for the Liverpool man, Milner came face-to-face with Willy Wonka and his oompa loompas on Sunday night as he hosted his annual charity ball in Manchester on Sunday night.
The former Leeds, Aston Villa and Manchester City midfielder was joined by a collection of current and former team-mates as he celebrated the fundraiser in Manchester on Sunday night.
![James Milner (left) poses with his wife Amy Fletcher alongside Willy Wonka and his oompa loompas at his charity event on Sunday night](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/11/28/13/3AD230DD00000578-3978486-image-m-9_1480338417431.jpg)
![Milner and his partner were joined by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp (left) and his wife Ulla](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/11/28/13/3AD233B600000578-3978486-image-a-10_1480338435711.jpg)
![The James Milner Foundation charity ball at in Manchester was themed on Willy Wonka](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/11/28/13/3AD2311A00000578-3978486-image-a-11_1480338499750.jpg)
![Milner was joined at his fundraising event by former Manchester City team-mate Gael Clichyu00a0](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/11/28/13/3AD230FE00000578-3978486-image-m-13_1480338511168.jpg)
![Denise Van Outen is pictured at the event which took place in Manchester on Sunday](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/11/28/13/3AD22F6F00000578-3978486-image-m-16_1480338538748.jpg)
The event was 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' themed, with all proceeds supporting Help for Heroes, Bloodwise and NSPCC.