Day to remember for young Blade Addison
11th December 2014
A nine-year-old Sheffield United fan fulfilled a lifelong dream when he led the Blades out as a mascot and met his footballing heroes.
Addison Connor was born with a diaphragmatic hernia which had stopped one of his lungs from developing properly. The hernia caused his stomach organs to move up into his chest, through an opening in the muscles which allows us to breathe, and he underwent several emergency procedures to treat the condition. Now, Addison lives life like any other child his age but with the help of an oxygen cylinder to aid his breathing. Addison, of Conisbrough, is a huge Blades fan and had always dreamed of being a mascot at Bramall Lane. He fulfilled that dream as he led the team out for their FA Cup clash against Plymouth Argyle. The Morley Place Junior School pupil was also given a VIP tour of the backroom facilities where he met first team players and manager Nigel Clough, received an autographed football which was presented by club captain Michael Doyle, and enjoyed a kick about on the Bramall Lane pitch before kick-off. Addison's father, Craig, said: -It was such a special day for our family. Addison has been through so much but he is always happy and smiling. He deals with everything so well. -We'd like to say a very big thank you to Sheffield United. They have made one of Addison's dreams come true. Dave McCarthy, Operations Director at Sheffield United, said: ''After speaking to Addison's family, it quickly became clear that Addison is an extremely brave young boy who also acts as an inspiration to others as he has remained positive throughout all of his health issues. -Everyone at the Club is honoured to have welcomed him to lead the team out against Plymouth Argyle and we hope he will always look back on this day with great fondness. Many of Addison's family were there to watch him lead the team out onto the pitch, including his father, mother, brothers, grandparents and his aunties and uncles.