Dunbartonshire boy 'heartbroken' after local football club snub him due to medical condition

A young boy with a life-limiting condition is asking with football clubs to give him the opportunity to play the game he loves.

Aaron Hunter, 14, from Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, has been on the lookout for a team to play with for the past year. However, the youngster can't find a disabled squad whose willing to give him the chance.

Aaron has been snubbed from a Dunbartonshire club due to his health issues - despite his own doctors giving him the all-clear to play, reports the Record.

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Aaron said: “I just want clubs to give me a chance. If there is anyone out there, please try to help me out. It means a lot to me and I would really like to play in a team. ­Football is my passion.”

The Celtic fan has ROHHAD – a brain condition where messages fail to reach the other organs, so they “forget” to work. He requires one-to-one care, daily injections and medication. Aaron also has a tracheostomy in his neck and carries a small oxygen tank on his back to help his breathing

The teenager's medics have said there are no barriers to him playing football and he already plays at his school, Kilpatrick Secondary in Dalmuir, during PE with no problems. While his condition would currently prevent him from playing 90 minutes, the Pride of Scotland Award winner said: “I just want the chance to show folk what I can do.”

Aaron has shown his determination before through campaigning to raise awareness of his rare condition. He even persuaded ­Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr to take part in a Muddy Puddle Challenge to raise money for research.

Aaron’s mum Elisabeth French, 43, said: “Aaron just wants to live life to the full, as much as he possibly can.”

Two weeks ago he went to join Dumbarton Riverside Football Club’s disability team where he was told to watch. At the end of the session he was told he would not be able to join.

Mum Elisabeth said: “All we were told was it would not be safe for Aaron or for the other children, which I cannot understand. Aaron, and others like him, are more capable than people think.

“We hope by speaking out about his dreams it may open some doors to people who’d be willing to work with him.

“He was an Army cadet for a year and took part in all ­activities with the exception of water sports because he would be at risk of drowing with his tracheostomy.

“So it is a huge shock that he can’t join a football team.

“I know it is fear which has prompted the decision but his heart is absolutely broken.”

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A spokeswoman for Dumbarton Riverside said: “The decision to contact Aaron’s mum and tell her we could not accommodate him was one of the hardest decisions we have had to make in all the years the team has been established.

“But after seeking advice from both Dumbarton Riverside committee members and also the Scottish Pan disability football league and contacting the Scottish Youth Football Association it was decided that it would be too dangerous for both the player and other players involved participating.”

She said the oxygen cylinder would be a danger to Aaron and other players in a contact sport and had concerns about the ball dislodging the tracheostomy.

The spokeswoman added: “His parents said they would deal with that if it occurred but the mental trauma to the other player involved has to be taken into account.”

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