Boy with half a heart achieves his goal... of joining a football team
A BOY of six born with half a heart has defied the odds to play his first game of competitive football.
Bobby Davies dreamed of playing soccer like his friends, but was rejected by a series of teams due to his condition.
He was born with tricuspid atresia, which caused the right side of his heart not to develop and required several operations.
But Bobby has now been accepted to join Rosehill Community FC in Swansea, and has even played his first match.
Mother Natasha said: “We always accepted that football wasn’t probably going to be part of it for Bobby.
Struggling
“For a six-year-old boy who just wanted to be the same as all his friends in school, it was tough.
“He’s asked every week, ‘Is it this week I can go?’ And, ‘Have you spoken to a new club, is there anyone who would want me?’
“To hear a little boy crying, saying nobody wants me on their team, as a parent, that was very challenging.”
Bobby, from Swansea, has undergone two open heart surgeries after struggling to breathe while climbing the stairs and going for walks.
But he has now defied doctors to play his first game of football – just one year after his latest surgery.
Proud Natasha thanked his coaches Craig and Stacey Bowles for making Bobby’s dream a reality. The couple coach the club, based in Townhill in the city and provide opportunities for children with complex needs.
Natasha said: “Without Craig and Stacey, Bobby’s dream would never have come true.
“I had one conversation with Stacey and within 10 minutes she said, ‘That’s it, he’s part of the Rosehill family.’
“There was no question, they wanted Bobby from the minute they heard about his story.”
Bobby is now involved in training session and matches. He wears a special padded vest to protect his sternum that was made by the parent of a fellow player.
Coach Craig said: “Getting to know Bobby’s story was inspirational to us as a club and as people.We wanted to help him fulfil his dream.”
Bobby’s favourite player is Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
He said: “One day, I’m going to play football for a team and I’m going to name myself Ronaldo.”