daveduke67
Well-Known Member
Must be the nicest gesture seen on or around a football pitch for some time.
A YOUNG Clarets fan has spoken of his delight after Burnley forward Danny Ings gave him his boots after the final game of the season.
Joseph Skinner, 13, a season-ticket holder at Turf Moor, said Ings’ gesture made Saturday the best day of his life.
A photo of the moment, captured by photographer Andy Ford, proved an internet sensation as thousands of football fans shared it on social networking sites after Burnley beat Ipswich 2-0 at Turf Moor.
Joseph, who lives in Padiham with his mum Bernadette Nuttall, 41, and sister Katie, nine, said: “It was absolutely unbelievable.
“I had shouted at Danny as he waited to take a corner when we brought on Brian Jensen, and he looked at me and pointed at his boots.
“I sort of expected him to come after the game then, and when he did, I was so excited.
“I said to him: ‘Good game Danny’ and it was so loud I couldn’t hear him but I think he just said: ‘Cheers’.“I look like I’m crying in the photo but I’m just really happy.
“Kieran Trippier was my favourite player until Saturday but it has to be Danny now!”
Ings’ size nine boots may be too big for Joseph, who takes a size five, but the Blessed Trinity RC College pupil has his own shooting boots. Joseph, who has cerebral palsy, was the top goalscorer for his side, Bolton Bullets Powerchair Football Club, last season.
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.His mum Bernadette said: “We’d like to pass on our thanks to Danny Ings. It was a really nice thing to do.
“It was very genuine and spur-of-the-moment, and very surprising too.
“It’s amazing how many people have stopped me to say they’ve seen the photo.” Joseph, whose ambition is to manage a team of his own one day, said: “The support I’ve had from everyone is touching.
“It was the best day of my life. Maybe only being at Wembley (when Burnley won promotion to the Premier League in 2009) was better.
“It gives you a bit of faith in the game again after all the controversy you hear about.”