A young Blackburn Rovers fan who was given birthday wishes by a host of first-team players last week “couldn’t have wished for a better birthday” after he was given VIP treatment at their FA Cup match at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Cath Clarkson posted a picture of her son Sam last week on his 12th birthday saying she wanted to make it an “amazing birthday” for him as he had been going through a tough time following the death of his father.

Lancashire Telegraph: Sam with first-team players Bradley Dack (left) and Ben Brereton-Diaz (right)Sam with first-team players Bradley Dack (left) and Ben Brereton-Diaz (right) (Image: Blackburn Rovers FC/Twitter)

After first-team players such as Bradley Dack and Sam Gallagher replied with birthday wishes for Sam, Cath was contacted by Gary Robinson and Simon Wootton of the Blackburn Rovers Community Trust to arrange for Sam to have a stadium tour and to meet the players at Saturday’s match against Birmingham City.

Gallagher also arranged birthday gifts for Sam, including a shirt with all the squad's signatures, and he received a pair of goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski’s signed gloves with lots of other Rovers goodies.

 

After having the tour it was arranged for Sam to be a flagbearer as the players came onto the pitch, and he also had a birthday message put on the electronic scoreboard at half-time.

Cath, who is originally from Blackburn but now lives with Sam in Blackrod, said: “Simon really made Sam feel like a VIP as did all the players and staff.

"He couldn’t have wished for a better birthday and it’s just amazing to see Sam with a smile on his face again.”

As well as from the players and the club’s official Twitter account, Sam also received wishes from Rovers fans and football fans in general from all over the world.

Lancashire Telegraph: Sam with first-team player Sam GallagherSam with first-team player Sam Gallagher (Image: Catherine Clarkson)

She added: “Sam was over the moon when he saw that the official Rovers Twitter account had wished him a happy birthday.

"Then when he saw the players had also wished him a happy birthday he was so excited. It was amazing to see him so happy again.

“He’s had wishes from Tasmania, Tokyo, Cape Town, Cincinnati, New York and California as well as all over Europe.

Lancashire Telegraph: Sam was given a tour of Ewood ParkSam was given a tour of Ewood Park (Image: Catherine Clarkson)

“I’ve been showing him on a map where all the people have wished him a happy birthday from.

"I am genuinely so grateful for people to take the time to wish him a happy birthday.

“Sam has learning difficulties so losing his dad has affected him in a big way. They loved to play Minecraft and other games together. His school have been amazing giving him grief counselling.”