As part of The FA’s Make Dreams Goals competition, Danielle Older revealed her ambition to be a professional footballer and the youngster got a taste of what it would be like when the Blues faced Birmingham City Ladies in the WSL.
The eleven-year-old, who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, was selected from hundreds of entries and took to the Academy Stadium pitch alongside her idols.
Danielle donned her very own City kit, complete with her name and number and walked out alongside captain between the FA cup finalists.
The football-mad youngster had the opportunity to meet players of both teams – also receiving a personalised kit from the West Midlands outfit – and got to enjoy that goal scoring feeling as she took part in a penalty shootout at half-time.
“Danielle’s life is playing football,” said her mum.
“She’s someone that won’t let anything hold her back and even though she has Cystic Fibrosis this does not stop her from being like any other child.
“Danielle is always first on the pitch and last off. The FA’s support in providing this experience really helped grow Danielle’s confidence.”
Make Dreams Goals was launched by the FA in March, to inspire young football fans to believe they can achieve their ambitions and with the aim of making a number of these dreams come true.
The FA will make yet more dreams a reality for several young fans when City face Birmingham at Wembley Stadium in front of a record crowd at the FA Cup final on Saturday 13 May.
