KYLE WALKER

The armchair superfan

TRACEY WALKER rarely watches her son’s games — she gets too nervous.

The 55-year-old (below) had a very important role while her son’s fledgling footballing career was blossoming in Sheffield. Jamaican- born dad Michael may have been taxi driver in chief, when it came to training and matches (Kyle joined Sheffield United aged seven), but Tracey was navigator.

‘My dad’s not the best on directions,’ said Kyle. ‘We’d go to matches on the team coach, but go back with our parents so that was when Dad and I got lost.

‘We’d ring Mum and say: “Where are we? Can you help us get back?” She’d reply: “Look for the M1!” ’

At her mid-terrace home in Sheffield she told the Mail she loved her son, but added: ‘I’d rather watch it on TV, you see much more.’