Young Bognor amputee's football dream comes true after dad's viral tweet

Carter Carrington, who had his leg amputated when he was a baby, helped lead out his beloved Aston Villa as a mascot in a recent match.

The experience came about after his dad posted a picture of him on Twitter, showing off his Aston Villa prosthetic leg while on holiday.

To his amazement, Carter’s favourite player, Jack Grealish, tweeted back: “What a little star! Choose a game this season & he can be mascot & walk out with me if I’m playing#AVFC.”

The football star was as good as his word, and little Carter’s dreams were made a reality when he walked out onto the pitch with Grealish as a mascot for a match on September 11.

Dad Marlon Carrington said: “He had an amazing day and weekend and loved spending time with Jack.

“I felt so proud watching him walking onto the pitch at Villa Park with 30,000 plus people cheering, although he was more interested in Bella the mascot at the time!”

Carter was born with a condition called Fibular Hemimelia, and had to have his leg amputated at 11 months old.

His story, and the club’s amazing generosity, went viral on social media and has been covered by national newspapers - not only in the UK, but in Australia, America and even Egypt.

Little Carter was also interviewed on BBC Radio WM.

The family live in Bognor Regis but are all huge Aston Villa fans because Marlon’s father was born in Birmingham.

“My Dad, who’s the reason we are Villa fans, was in St Richards Hospital at the time recovering from a major operation,” Marlon said.

“But he got to see it too, on a tablet, as the match was live on sky so it all made for one very happy, very proud family.

“Carter had only just started at Rose Green Infant School days prior to this so it was a very big week for him, although he took it all in his stride. A proper little trooper!”

After his special day, young Carter has been sporting his claret and blue prosthetic leg with even more pride.

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