An eight-year-old boy with ADHD and tourette’s was thrilled after being given a match-worn shirt by England star Kieran Trippier.
Junior was in Germany with his dad, Sam, 35, and grandad and said the trip was made especially memorable after receiving the top from the defender.
The family, from Swindon, Wilts., said it was an amazing moment and he will be adding the shirt to his collection of Swindon Town shirts he’s been given during his following of his local club.
Junior said: “It was great fun, I was singing all game and it was hot so I had to take my shirt off and waved my shirt over my head instead of my flag.
“England fans around me could see how much fun I was having and kept encouraging me to carry on, so I did.
“I kept singing ‘come on England’ over and over and then people started joining in.
“When I sang at one time all the England fans joined in and everybody sang it for ages, I was getting people I didn’t know kept coming up to me and giving me a high five.”
The shirtless Junior covered in St George flags was shown on the live coverage of the match, which was England’s final group game against Slovenia.
He added: “I was very surprised, as he came past me when he got subbed I just shouted towards him saying please can I have your shirt.
“He turned and looked towards me and my family and friends around me was then pointing at me and he then gave me a thumbs up and said after the game.
“After the game, he was walking off the pitch and I didn’t think I was getting it, but then he gave it to somebody from the FA as he walked off the pitch who ran it over to me, I was so happy.
“My dad has said that he is going to write to him and thank him and to ask if he can sign it for me, once I’ve got it signed it’s getting framed and going next to my shirts I’ve been lucky to get from ex Swindon Town players Blake-Tracey & Kemp.”
Junior will be a well-known personality for many Swindon fans, as he stars in his own YouTube channel raising awareness of what it’s like to be a football fan with ADHD and Tourette’s – focusing mostly on his beloved Swindon.
Dad Sam said: “I am so happy for him, he has ADHD and can sometimes struggle especially when the atmosphere is loud.
“We go home and away watching Swindon Town and he goes to every England home game and has been to a few away games.
“His platform has helped people to recognise him and reduce the chances of him being judged, he can then continue to be himself.
“He loves to vlog his experiences on his YouTube channel Juniortism and loves to highlight his experiences as a young football fan with ADHD and the challenges and experiences he encounters.
“Receiving the shirt from Trippier was the tip of the iceberg for him as he was already overjoyed after being recognised on TV a number of times at the game.”
You can view Junior’s Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/@JuniortismYT
