A group of footballers from Lincolnshire with Down’s Syndrome had chance to play in front of their heroes, Lincoln City.
It has been described as an experience of a lifetime, after the team got to play a part of the Imps’ game at Charlton Athletic.
The Lincoln City DS Active team, which is a run by the club’s foundation, travelled to London on Saturday, April 5, to take part in a round-robin tournament organised by Charlton.
They later played on The Valley pitch with the Lincoln first-team and took part in a lap of honour at half-time.
Imps head coach Michael Skubala and the first-team squad went across to watch play before their usual warm-ups for the game which eventually ended 2-2, thanks to a James Collins brace.
Patrick O’Reilly, who coaches the team, said: “We are very grateful to everyone at Lincoln City and Lincoln City Foundation for their support in making it such a special day for the players.
“It made their day to know the first-team and coaching staff were watching and follow their results.
“We travelled down together on a club-branded minibus which made everyone feel special.”
O’Reilly added: “Travelling down together on a minibus and getting to play on the main pitch at the Valley was a truly memorable experience for everyone.”
He thanked Charlton Upbeats and the club’s Community Trust for the organisation of the game, which proceeded Lincoln ending the Addicks’ streak of eight home wins in a row.
“One of our players’ parents said seeing his son play on the pitch with his friends felt like he’d won the FA Cup final,” O’Reilly said. “Our DS Active team relies on people giving up their time, so this was a wonderful way to give them something back – and seeing the Imps’ end Charlton Athletic’s winning run afterwards was the icing on the cake.”
Lincoln are planning a reverse fixture when Charlton next visit the LNER Stadium.