Youngster Sam to lead team out at Elland Road | OneFootball

Leeds United take on Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday evening and joining us at Elland Road as a mascot for the fixture is youngster Sam, who is helping us to celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities (takes place on 3rd December).

Sam has cerebral palsy, which affects movement and coordination and specifically in Sam’s case, his arm and foot. The young fan is a member of the Leeds United Foundation Under-12s Pan-Disability Football programme, which he has been involved in for over three years.

Sam is self-described as very competitive, someone who loves to make big tackles and defend for his team, taking his role as a centre-back with full responsibility.

“It’s so lovely that they get a chance to compete in the same way as someone who is not disabled,” Sam’s mum, Emma told us.

“The coaches at the Leeds United Foundation make sure everybody can get involved. Sam’s found his position now and he’s such a brilliant little defender. Because of his mobility issues, it’s quite hard for him to track up and down the pitch, but he’s absolutely solid, not quite as good as Joe Rodon yet, but he’ll get there!

“Sometimes me and the other parents just look at each other and go, thank goodness for this place, because seeing your child - who you didn’t think would be able to ever be in that environment - being able to participate, compete, get excited, get geared up for it, you don’t take that for granted.

“It just means absolutely everything.”

Sam found out from his idol Joe Rodon that he would be walking out alongside his favourite players for the midweek game, and to describe his response, he said: “I didn’t know this was happening! I’m really happy, like, really happy!”

Emma went on to say: “Sam has had a lot of challenges, but the positives are that doors are open, and he wouldn’t be walking out against Chelsea without those opportunities provided by the Foundation. He made me laugh. He said it comes with perks! And what a lovely way to look at it, it’s really positive.”

The 12-year-old who loves to play football as much as he loves Leeds United, finished his chat with the club’s media team by saying: “I just think it’s a real pleasure playing for the Foundation and I think without them I wouldn’t have found a sport where I could play and have all those friends, I just really appreciate it.

“And having this view in the background,” as Sam points to the window of the suite he is sat in, overlooking Elland Road and the Leeds skyline, “I just appreciate it all and I am really grateful. I’m grateful to the coaches, and I really like being a part of it. It’s one of the best experiences that I can have.”

From everyone at Leeds United, we thank Sam for being such an inspiration and we hope Sam enjoys his mascot experience at Elland Road, leading the team onto the pitch.