A young footballer with only two fingers and one thumb on each hand can now realise his dream of playing in goal after sportswear giant Puma designed a special set of gloves for him.
Joseph Pritchard, eight, from Churchdown, in Gloucestershire, was born with the disability and also had to have part of his left leg amputated.
He now has an artificial leg and despite his disabilities, he plays football for the Churchdown Panthers and loves playing in goal.
But until now, being a goalkeeper was a dream because he cannot wear regular goalkeeper's gloves because they are too big and fall off.
Now Puma designers created a special pair of gloves for him and have given him a new set of football boots to go with them.
Joseph's father Darren and stepmother Helen emailed several major sports companies to see if anyone could help and were overjoyed when Puma got in touch to say it would love to help.
Joseph, a Manchester United fan who loves Wayne Rooney, told the Gloucester Citizen: "I am really excited and very grateful. It will make playing football easier."
The gloves will now be specially fitted to Joseph's specifications.
Mr Pritchard, 36, said the gloves will help Joseph gain confidence on the pitch and improve his game by giving him a better feel for the ball.
"With the new gloves Joseph won't feel different, he'll be able to fit in," he said.
"He is a very brave little boy - he copes with everything. We don't allow him to be different and he doesn't allow it either."
A spokesman for Puma said: "When we heard about Joseph's love of football we knew we had to help in whatever way we could.
"By making him a pair of bespoke goalkeeper gloves we hope he can enjoy his football even more - after all, that's what this game is really all about."
That is fantastic. I wonder if TGB member Chris Tyler had anything to do with this?! If so, WELL DONE!
Wow, great story there !
I played churchdown panthers about a year ago for my local club ! But ofcourse older age group.
Would love to get some more info behind it etc !
great to here stories from my home county ( gloucestershire )
Great find !
cheers
That really is a touching story. Kudos to puma for replying to the guy and making the gloves. Would love to see a picture of it somehow.
i think this is fantastic .. brillaint that a lad with a disability hasnt been stopped doing something he loves .. i just wish they would have contacted us so it may have been sorted sooner ... but either way... dosent matter who does the gloves... the main thing is the lad is playing ! Brilliant !
www.pro-gk.com
The kid certainly has a lot of determination! Glad to see he plays, regardless of his disabilities. Does anyone have a picture of the gloves?
hi guys,
still working on the gloves, so no images yet!
Fantastic Chris. Well done!!!
Nice one chris ! got loads of respect for people like you !
Keep it up mate
great stuff from puma especially ecause its local for me as i go to churchdown school so great stuff.
I found a picture of the special gloves made for Joseph. Fantastic stuff Puma, this makes me proud to be part of the union.
Have to say that is something special......
One Save doesnt make a Season....
Truly heart warming. Fair play to Puma - hope they continue to supply these special gloves as long as the little fella keeps playin in goal as it's great his disability isn't stopping hm from playing the beautiful game in the best position!
good on puma for stepping up! fair play
good luck to the lil boy