Tomorrow afternoon, Elliot Bainbridge will lead AFC Fylde out at Mill Farm for our final home game of the season.
The Community Foundation decided Elliot deserved to lead the Coasters out after he has successfully overcome life changing operations.
AFC Fylde manager, Chris Beech and assistant manager, Nicholas Anderton, personally wanted to award him with the package to give it that extra special touch.
The pair of them surprised the seven-year-old by showing up to St Michael’s Primary School in Weeton on his final day before Easter.
Beech and Anderton went into Elliot’s classroom with his parents to give him a memory for a lifetime before he received a massive round of applause from the rest of his school friends.
Both Elliot and his parents were delighted that he received the package – the Foundation wanted to give it to him shortly after his operation, earlier in the season, but we decided to wait until he could fully appreciate the experience.
Elliot has all but fully recovered now, the only thing his doctor has said he is unable to do for a little while longer is play football, which he is obviously disappointed about but we don’t think he’ll be too upset come Saturday afternoon.
Our Assistant Director of the Foundation, Mick Whittle, has said: “The Foundation are extremely proud of Elliot and we are delighted to be able to give him a fantastic experience after everything he has been through.”
Elliot will have the chance to meet all of the players ahead of kick-off and hang out in the changing rooms for a while before he picks who he wants to walk out onto the pitch with.
Mick also said: “Elliot is an inspiration not just to other children, but to everyone. The bravery he has shown is unbelievable and he is more than deserving of this package.”
“Everyone at both the Foundation and the club hopes Elliot has a great day and hopefully he will be back to playing football himself sooner rather than later.
“AFC Fylde Community Foundation has had a brilliant season working alongside the club to give back to our community and we’re glad to end the season at Mill Farm with a special moment.”
The Foundation hopes everyone has had a great season following AFC Fylde and we hope to see you all throughout the summer!
