Teen with one of world's rarest brain conditions fulfils dream of scoring a goal for his football team
- 2 months ago
This is the heartwarming moment a severely disabled teenager fulfils his dream of scoring a goal for his beloved football team.
Brandon Cooper, 17, bravely stepped up in the last minute to take a penalty for non-league Ilkeston Town FC.
The teenager is one of only 150 people worldwide to suffer from hydroxyglutaric aciduria, a condition that causes progressive brain damage.
Despite his disability, Brandon has been a lifetime supporter of Ilkeston Town FC, who are currently 15th in the Non League Premier League.
Last Sunday (10/3) Brandon was guest of honour for the annual Fans v Legends match at the club's New Manor Ground in the Derbyshire town.
In the final minute of the game, Ilkeston won a penalty and Brandon was called onto the pitch to take it with the help of a teammate.
Video shows Brandon slot the ball into the bottom right hand corner after the goalkeeper dived the wrong way.
The inspiring teenager was then mobbed by his teammates at the final whistle of the game which Brandon's team won 13-3.
His foster mum Maggie White, 68, said: “Brandon absolutely loves Ilkeston Town and rarely misses a game home or away.
"Because Ilkeston is so empathic to Brandon and any person with mental disabilities, they thought it would be a nice gesture to let him in the dug out and shout orders.
“When I arrived, I was asked if he would like to kick the ball off or kick the penalty. Because he’s a wheelchair user, he was assisted.
"The goalkeeper went one way, Brandon went the other.
“He knew that he was going in the dug out. He said, ‘I’m gonna tell them to do me proud’ and ‘get back in your goal’ because the keeper has a tendency to come out.
“When he knew he was going to take the penalty, he kept saying ‘really me’ and ‘did you hear them, they’re calling my name’. He’s been so excited for it.
“It was excitement more than anything and the sheer fact that he was actually going on the pitch.
"He’s only been on the pitch once. He’s still talking about it. I can’t thank the club enough as they gave him the chance to do that, not every club is like that.”
Brandon is one of only 150 people worldwide to be diagnosed with hydroxyglutaric aciduria which affects the brain through toxins the body releases.
But that hasn’t stopped him enjoying himself and his mum Maggie says he won’t let anything get in his way.
Mum-of-three Maggie added: “There’s 150 in the world with it at the moment. It affects his brain, he makes toxins in his urine and it affects his brain.
"The strain he has got will affect his brain, so his mentality will get worse. He’s all got scoliosis too. They had to break his back on the last operation in 2019.
“He doesn’t let anything phase him to be fair. Right from day one we didn’t think he would come as far as he did.
“He proved them all wrong. He can walk if you hold him and uses a walker to walk around.
Brandon Cooper, 17, bravely stepped up in the last minute to take a penalty for non-league Ilkeston Town FC.
The teenager is one of only 150 people worldwide to suffer from hydroxyglutaric aciduria, a condition that causes progressive brain damage.
Despite his disability, Brandon has been a lifetime supporter of Ilkeston Town FC, who are currently 15th in the Non League Premier League.
Last Sunday (10/3) Brandon was guest of honour for the annual Fans v Legends match at the club's New Manor Ground in the Derbyshire town.
In the final minute of the game, Ilkeston won a penalty and Brandon was called onto the pitch to take it with the help of a teammate.
Video shows Brandon slot the ball into the bottom right hand corner after the goalkeeper dived the wrong way.
The inspiring teenager was then mobbed by his teammates at the final whistle of the game which Brandon's team won 13-3.
His foster mum Maggie White, 68, said: “Brandon absolutely loves Ilkeston Town and rarely misses a game home or away.
"Because Ilkeston is so empathic to Brandon and any person with mental disabilities, they thought it would be a nice gesture to let him in the dug out and shout orders.
“When I arrived, I was asked if he would like to kick the ball off or kick the penalty. Because he’s a wheelchair user, he was assisted.
"The goalkeeper went one way, Brandon went the other.
“He knew that he was going in the dug out. He said, ‘I’m gonna tell them to do me proud’ and ‘get back in your goal’ because the keeper has a tendency to come out.
“When he knew he was going to take the penalty, he kept saying ‘really me’ and ‘did you hear them, they’re calling my name’. He’s been so excited for it.
“It was excitement more than anything and the sheer fact that he was actually going on the pitch.
"He’s only been on the pitch once. He’s still talking about it. I can’t thank the club enough as they gave him the chance to do that, not every club is like that.”
Brandon is one of only 150 people worldwide to be diagnosed with hydroxyglutaric aciduria which affects the brain through toxins the body releases.
But that hasn’t stopped him enjoying himself and his mum Maggie says he won’t let anything get in his way.
Mum-of-three Maggie added: “There’s 150 in the world with it at the moment. It affects his brain, he makes toxins in his urine and it affects his brain.
"The strain he has got will affect his brain, so his mentality will get worse. He’s all got scoliosis too. They had to break his back on the last operation in 2019.
“He doesn’t let anything phase him to be fair. Right from day one we didn’t think he would come as far as he did.
“He proved them all wrong. He can walk if you hold him and uses a walker to walk around.