WHY GET SHIRTY WITH ME? Says shamed mum who snatched Beckford’s top from boy, aged 8

THE mother who wrenched a football hero’s shirt from an eight-year-old boy on live TV claimed last night it was just a ‘misunderstanding’ – and she knows the child and his family.

Mum-of-two Vickie Timbrell, 31, from Manchester, wrestled Jermaine Beckford’s jersey from schoolboy Ted Dockray at Wembley Stadium, and left him “in bits”.

Hours after the incident it was advertised on classified website Gumtree for £1,500, but the advert has since been removed.

The Preston striker had thrown his shirt into the crowd after scoring a hat-trick during Sunday’s play-off final against Swindon.

Football fans watched in horror as Ms Timbrell, who was wearing a pink top, appeared to snatch the shirt from the boy in the 71st minute of Preston’s 4-0 victory, after Beckford had been substituted.

The mother, who found herself at the centre of a social media storm, said she plans to speak to the family.

She said: “People have made me out to be an absolute idiot. I will be ROW: Vickie ( says the truth has been twisted HISTORY: Beckford scored hat-trick in final before he threw shirt to fans ( speaking to the family, I actually know them – they’re friends.”

She also wrote on Facebook: “Can I say thank you to everyone for all the support and texts. I’m not commenting on the c*** they’ve written because I’m taking this further.

“It’s all wrong and twisted. My side of the story will come out.” watch Ted’s 10-year-old brother Leo play in a schools’ championship.

His aunt Helen Dockray last night said: “Ted was clearly the last one to have his hands on that shirt. He would have worn it even if it was all sweaty and smelly.

“It is the happiness it would have brought the child that matters.”

Beckford, 31, who made history by becoming only the third player ever to score a hat-trick in a play-off final, said: “It was intended as a goodwill gesture.

“I assumed it would go to a good home from someone who was able to enjoy the game.

“Hopefully, it will find its way back to the kid who caught it.”

The advert for the shirt was later posted from a Stretford address on Gumtree, but has since been removed. It is not known whether this was a genuine advert.

But a happy ending is still possible, after Preston confirmed they will get Beckford to present his second Wembley shirt to Ted if he makes himself known to the club.

Olympic gold medal winning long jumper Greg Rutherford also waded into the row, saying he would like to give Ted one of his signed athletics vests.

He wrote on Twitter: “I know it’s not the same. But if anyone knows this boy I’d like to send him a signed vest.”