Football dream comes true
AYOUNG Manchester City fanatic who battled a life threatening illness was given a day to remember after being invited to train with his heroes.
Idris Sherifi, 11, was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer at the age of four, which saw him undergo six courses of chemotherapy as well as losing his right leg.
However the now healthy youngster, from Heald Green, never let that dampen his passion for the game, and for 18 months he has been attending amputee football sessions run by the club’s charitable arm City in the Community.
After witnessing his ‘inspirational’ attitude first hand the coaches decided they wanted to reward him with a wish of a lifetime.
His unique experience began with a special assembly at Etchells Primary School, where a special message from skipper Vincent Kompany was played inviting Idris along to first team training.
He was then driven to the club’s training ground opposite and given a behind the scenes tour of the first team facilities, before changing into his new training gear, ready to head out to play watch his heroes.
Blues stars Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho were on hand for practice drills with him before Idris teamed up with Aguero to take on other players in a head-tohead match.
After meeting the rest of the squad, Kompany had one last surprise for delighted youngster, handing him the new away kit and revealing he would be one of the club’s mascots and lead the team out for the upcoming home game against Crystal Palace.
It was all organised in conjunction with the Make A Wish Foundation, a charity who work with children with life-threatening illnesses and who the club have strong links with.
Speaking afterwards Idris said: “I was so excited when Vincent Kompany invited me to training, I couldn’t believe he was talking to me! Playing football with Sergio Aguero, meeting the whole team and walking out at the Etihad was a dream come true, it’s been amazing.”
Mike Green, head of City in the Community added: “Everyone at City in the Community is proud that for the past 30 years, the foundation has been able to provide young people, like Idris, with the opportunity to play and enjoy football no matter their ability.
“This year, as part of our 30 year celebrations, we have engaged with over 30,000 people across the city through a range inclusion, health and educational programmes.”