Hastings youngster's football dream comes true

A disabled youngster's dream of playing football came true when a charity stepped in to help.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th May 2016, 14:40 BST
Updated 16th May 2016, 15:41 BST

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Phil Broom and Henry WalkerPhil Broom and Henry Walker
Phil Broom and Henry Walker

Henry Walker, who is five, has cerebral palsy, which means he has to walk with a frame.

His family, of Whitefriars Road, Hastings, last week launched an appeal to the public to help the sports-mad boy’s football dream come true.

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A football coach saw the story on the Hastings Observer website and contacted Henry’s family to invite him to Albion in the Community’s disability football session at Eastbourne Sports Park.

Henry attended on Saturday (May 14) and was given a 45-minute one-to-one session working on his skills.

He then joined in and scored his first ever goal in his first ever match.

Phil Broom, disability football coach, said: “I saw the story about Henry on the Hastings Observer website and got in touch with his family to invite him along to the disability football session for junior players, which we run every Saturday in Eastbourne.

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“It was brilliant to see Henry enjoying playing football. He was an absolute pleasure to coach and we hope to see him back playing next week. If anyone else reads this and knows someone who would be interested in taking part, please do get in touch.”

Henry’s 11-year-old brother, Johnny, plays football four times a week for All Stars Sussex in Eastbourne.

Albion in the Community’s disability football session takes place each Saturday, with one for adults between 10.30am and 11.30am and one for junior players between 11.30am and 12.30pm.

Albion in the Community is the official charity of Brighton & Hove Albion FC and runs more than 30 regular football clubs and sessions for people living with a disability.

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For more information on its disability football session in Eastbourne, email [email protected].

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Related topics:HastingsAlbionPhil BroomCommunity