Liam’s West Brom heroes deliver birthday to remember
It may have been spent indoors with the country in lockdown – but Albion fan Liam Jones still had a birthday he’ll never forget.
The teenager turned 17 on Saturday and had hoped to mark the occasion by having his first driving lesson before heading to The Hawthorns to potentially see his team secure promotion against Fulham.
The coronavirus pandemic put all those plans on hold.
But his dad Alistair – who is named after Albion legend Alistair (Ally) Robertson – was determined his son would still have a special day.
With the help of Dean Walton, chairman of the Warwick & District Branch of the West Bromwich Albion Supporters Club, Mr Jones contacted Chris Brunt, Ben Foster and James Morrison to see if they would send his son a birthday message.
The three Baggies heroes are Liam’s all-time favourite players.
And within a few hours, each one had sent a video with their birthday wishes.
“I was determined Liam would have a special 17th birthday,” Mr Jones said.
“He’s not had the best six months. He was very close to his great-grandmother who died just before Christmas.
“With his being his 17th, I was planning to get him driving lessons for his present.
“I know Dean Walton who lives near Ben Foster so I asked if he could get in touch with him to send a video message.
“Ben sent one through straight away which was absolutely fantastic. But I thought ‘in for a penny in for a pound’ so I asked for James Morrison as well.
“I got his number which was surreal really, sitting there texting Mozza.
“He was more than happy to send a video so I then asked for Brunty as well to complete the holy trinity.
“Liam is 17 and has been a season ticket holder since 2007 so those three players are his idols, they have been his heroes growing up.
“To get personal messages from all three of them, we are both really, really grateful.”
Mr Jones said the messages made his son’s day.
“Liam honestly could not believe it,” he added. “I told him to check his Whatsapps and he just thought I’d sent him some sort of joke because I send a lot them!
“When he saw a message from Ben Foster he couldn’t believe it.
“Then I was able to forward the one on from James Morrison. And then Brunty.
“They just kept coming throughout the day which made it better and better.
“I can’t thank them enough, all three of them are such nice, down to earth lads.
“Because of them, Liam’s birthday was still very, very special.”
