'You'll play for England:" Football legend's surprise message for disabled Doncaster youngster

Bryan Kilpatrick-Elliott, 14, who has been dubbed a trailblazer for Cerebral Palsy sport in Britain, was stunned when the former Three Lions star contacted him and told him: “I’m sure you will play for England.”

Bryan, who has been unable to play his beloved sport during the coronavirus pandemic, had messaged the ex-Red Devils star and Salford City co-owner to explain how he was struggling at missing playing the beautiful game.

And he was amazed when the 46-year-old midfielder messaged him back.

In a video message, Scholes told Bryan: “Hi Bryan, it’s Paul Scholes here.

"I know you are having a tough time at the minute because you’re not allowed to play for your cerebral palsy team which is a shame, but we just have to be patient and it will be back.

"I’m sure you will play for England with a bit of luck and the hard work you are capable of.

“You can’t beat playing football. Well done for all the awareness of disability football you are doing. It is great, keep it up. All the best mate.”

His dad – also called Bryan said: “My son has right sided Hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy and has found this lockdown very difficult in that he is really missing his football and teammates.

“He messaged Paul to explain this and how difficult he is finding things without his disability football and the things he dreams to one day achieve. Not thinking much of it later that day we got a message saying can he send a video to him for a quick chat.

“As you can imagine this was such a surprise and what made it even better was he had done his research and found out a few things about what he has been up to.”

He has played for the England U12 Cerebral Palsy team and also Manchester-based club Cerebral Palsy United as well as Club Doncaster Titans.

He was given a special treat by Doncaster Rovers in December 2019, when he joined the squad, including his favourite played James Coppinger, at the training ground in Cantley Park for a visit.