LIVERPOOL: Everton manager Roberto Martinez thinks that the nine-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who won the club’s goal of the month award is an inspiration.
George Shaw scored at Goodison Park at half-time in the match against Swansea after being invited to the game by Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu.
A video of Shaw playing football in the number 19 shirt of Spanish winger Deulofeu went viral on the internet, and now his goal at the Gwladys Street End has seen off efforts by Ross Barkley, Kevin Mirallas and Aaron Lennon to win the award voted for by supporters.
“Everything started in George’s head and that is what impresses me the most,” said Martinez, who gave the nine-year-old his award at the club’s training ground on Thursday.
“He dreamed of scoring a goal at the Gwladys Street End and started practising with his dad in his back garden.
“He showed there is never a reason or excuse to give up your dream.
“The players have been touched by the story. They saw the clips wearing Gerard Deulofeu’s top and Geri could not wait to prepare a little present for him.
“He is a young man with incredible drive, not allowing any illness or disability to stop him achieving the dream that he wanted and the recognition is genuine recognition from every Everton fan.
“When you see a young boy like George coping with a disability it gives you such a lesson in how to approach life in general and approach adversity.
“It makes you realise how fortunate we are to be professionals in the game and seeing George’s inspiration is a really strong lesson we all enjoyed.” --AFP