This is the sweet moment a teenager with Down’s syndrome was invited to play for his favourite team – and scored a goal while the players cheered him on.
Football fan Ryan Innes, 17, was gearing up to watch Beechwood Albion FC’s testimonial football game when he was called up to play at the start of the match.
His brother Ben, 22, plays for the team and was delighted when his manager suggested they start the game with Ryan on the pitch as an honorary member.
Kitted up, Ryan can be seen dribbling the ball down the pitch and scoring the first goal of the game after receiving an assist from Ben.
The entire team can then be seen cheering around Ryan as they celebrated his goal which led to him being awarded man of the match at the end of the game.
Proud student Ryan said: “I’m so proud of myself for scoring a goal and being able to play with Ben.
“I loved celebrating with the team too!”
Ryan’s mum Lesley Innes, 43, who was cheering from the sidelines added: “Ben’s manager said lets kit Ryan up and get him taking the kick off to start the game.
“They gave him a full kit and a pair of boots and off he went!
“Ryan loves football and he absolutely loved every minute of it.
“When he wasn’t playing, he was stood at the side cheering and they included him in the team talk at halftime as well.
“He even got to go back on the pitch later in the game to score another goal and then they made him ‘man of the match’ which he was so happy about.
“Ryan was absolutely made up and told everyone at his school about it the next week.
“He’s watched the video about 50 times – he’s just so pleased with himself.”
The proud mum, who works as a customer service executive and lives with Ryan in Callander, Stirling, added: “It was just so nice to see all of the boys accept and include Ryan.
“He loved all of the attention – all of the ‘well dones’ and the pats on the back. He just loved being included. He thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Beechwood Albion FC have ordered a ‘Man of the Match’ trophy for their young honorary member and will present it to Ryan on his 18th birthday next week [June 26].
Michael Bradburn, who is a committee member of Beechwood Albion FC, filmed the goal on June 6.
