Latics stars are Tom’s heroes

TEAM talk . . . Latics fan Tom surrounded by the players who made his day

LATICS players joined forces to make a dream come true for eight-year-old Tom Roney.

The youngster was born with a shortening of a muscle in the right side of his neck, which meant he carried his head to one side.

He has had two operations, the last just over two weeks ago, which involved slicing and releasing the muscle in his neck, followed by painful physiotherapy.

While he was recovering in Stepping Hill Hospital, he said to his mother, Donna: “Wouldn’t it be great if I could meet all the Oldham players.” So Donna put pen to paper and wrote to the club asking if there was any way they could make the time to meet him.

Just days later, a letter dropped through the door, addressed to Tom.

He ripped it open and could hardly contain his excitement when he saw it was from the club.

“He was thrilled to bits when he got the letter,” said Donna.

“It said the team would love to meet him, and invited him to the club on Thursday last week.”

Tom enlisted his mother as chauffeur, and arrived at Boundary Park for 9.45am.

He spent more than an hour with the team, and left with a signed football, his own number 10 Craig Davies football shirt signed by the entire team, and lots of get-well wishes from players who urged him to keep up with his physio to get fit and strong.

“Everyone was so lovely,” said Donna. “Tom has never stopped talking about it, and the players gave him the boost he needs to keep on with his physiotherapy. It’s gruelling and it really hurts him.”

Tom and his father Rob (40), a former Hulme Grammar School pupil, are both season ticket holders and drive from their home in Stockport to watch every game they can.

Donna said: “Rob is an absolute Latics fan, and so is Tom now.”

Tom’s grandmother Joyce Roney, who lives with his grandfather Brian in Milnrow Road, Shaw, is also an avid Latics fan.

At 83, she can no longer go to matches, but listens to radio coverage.