A football-daft Fife youngster whose confidence was dented by bullies has received hundreds of messages of support on social media.
The outpouring of love for eight-year-old Dunfermline lad Ollie Young came after his dad Simon posted a heartbreaking letter the youngster had written to his mum Karen on Twitter.
In the message, Ollie said he was rubbish at football and hated himself. His dad said bullies were to blame for damaging his self-esteem and asked his followers to send some support.
Footballers past and present and many complete strangers weighed, urging Ollie to stay strong and show the bullies they will never win.
The young Dunfermline Athletic fanatic was thrilled to receive a video of support from former Pars striker Gary Dempsey. Further messages have also poured in from the likes of Pars manager Stevie Crawford and Everton goalkeeping legend Neville Southall.
Dad Simon revealed he had been “blown away” by the incredible response, adding it had “made my son’s day….and week….and month….and year”.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for this but especially Gary Dempsey who has proven to be a class man and a true inspiration,” he said.
@Dempz8 my 8 year old son is a mad football son and a mad Pars fan. He wrote this note to his mum last night saying he is rubbish a football and he hates himself.. this all comes from bullies at his school. You couldn't do him a let message for him? His name is Ollie. Thanks pic.twitter.com/5LW0jVCMAl
— Simon Young (@djscrimmers) February 18, 2020
Meanwhile, Karen added: “Thank you all for your kind messages. Ollie is a happy boy tonight.”
Irish striker Dempsey said he would send Ollie the football shirt he wore when he made his debut for the Pars against Celtic at Parkhead.
He said: “When I was eight years old, Ollie, I wasn’t very good at football but I kept practising and I kept practising, and I got better and I got better and I got better.”
The forward joked that he was “the greatest Dunfermline Athletic player of all time” before adding “that’s probably not true”.
And he asked the youngster to promise him he would keep playing football.
“Keep practising pal, keep smiling, you’re a wee superstar,” he added.
“I’m going to be looking forward to seeing you playing for the Pars in the future hopefully.”
Hey Ollie. There’s a nice present on its way for you pal. Keep smiling. Keep practicing ⚽️🥅 and hopefully I’ll see you soon. pic.twitter.com/z4gyaAAdXH
— Gary Dempsey (@Dempz8) February 18, 2020
Pars boss Crawford also posted a video of encouragement, saying: “I’ve been hearing about the tough time you’ve been going through at the moment.
“I just want to pass on the message that everyone at Dunfermline Athletic believes in you. If you keep working hard and keep training anything is possible.
“Also, I would like to invite you to next Tuesday night’s match against Inverness as a special guest of the club.”
— Simon Young (@djscrimmers) February 19, 2020
The videos and messages have been shared thousands of times on social media, and even the attracted the attention of Welsh goalkeeping legend Neville Southall.
He said: “I was always told I was too small or had no chance of playing football professionally.
“I used the people who told me that to get better.”
And the shot-stopper told Ollie: “Bullies are scared of you because you are better than them – I would have you in my team always.”
