One Direction star Louis Tomlinson is following up his appearance in a charity match at the Keepmoat Stadium last season by signing as a non-contract player to Doncaster Rovers Football Club.
Louis has always been passionate about football and wanted to realise a dream of signing to his home town club where he once worked on match days. After discussions between Louis, Paul Dickov and Media Manager Steve Uttley, it was decided that the club could sign him and issue him with a squad number for the 2013/2014 season. As part of the signing it is hoped that Louis will be able to appear in Rovers colours at some point this season in aid of Bluebell Wood and train with the lads. Chairman John Ryan and the Manager Paul Dickov have given Louis the number 28 shirt for this season to help him raise money for Bluebell Wood.
Chairman John Ryan “I am honoured to let Louis play in my number to help raise money for the charity. I wore this in 2003 for my record beating appearance at Hereford and this is the first time I have allowed it to be used since but I felt this was a good cause”
Media Manager Steve Uttley “Louis and I organised last season’s charity game, in aid Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, which was a big success with over 9000 fans attending. It was natural to follow on from that and Louis wanted more involvement to raise the profile of his home town club and Bluebell Wood. What started out as light hearted banter on text has moved on to reality, which is a great coup for the club. Our next step is to get Louis on the pitch again in a Rovers kit”
Louis Tomlinson says “This has always been a childhood dream for me. I feel very honoured to have been asked to sign for Rovers and being able to help both the club and the amazing charity Bluebell Wood is what it’s all about.”
Claire Rintoul, Chief Executive at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice said: “We’re absolutely thrilled and delighted that Louis has decided to continue his support for Bluebell Wood and promote what we do here.
“Being a local lad it’s great to see him giving back to the community and supporting our children with a shortened life expectancy. He’s visited us now on more than one occasion and met some of our children and their families who are all so excited that he is championing our cause. Louise was shocked when he learnt that we only receive a tiny amount of statutory funding and have to raise over £3million ourselves, but it means so much to us and our children and families that he’s giving his time to help us raise money and awareness.”
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