How Jack Grealish helped teenager told he 'wasn't disabled enough' to play football

Teenager Bryan Kilpatrick-Elliott had struggled to find a pathway in grassroots football, with his cerebral palsy preventing him from playing for mainstream youth clubs.

After finding the para-football pathway and making his way through the England system based at St George's Park for almost ten years, Bryan was not only in a place where he could enjoy football again, but also seek much-needed support among peers who have been through similar life experiences.

Like all players in the para-football system, they must be classified when they turn 16 in order to maintain a level playing field for competitions. This involves a medical before a place on the next stage of the program can be awarded. Having been assured that Bryan would be given classification, despite his slightly milder condition, the Doncaster-based teen was devastated to be told last year that he didn't meet the level required to continue.

ALSO READ: I knew I never had a chance at Man City - now I'm a key man for England at Euro 2024

ALSO READ: Kyle Walker's brutal reality check to Jack Grealish over England snub raises Man City questions

Accompanied by his dad, also called Bryan, the pair left St George's Park in August last year for the final time, with no support offered to players who are told they cannot continue, and a closed door to para football in future.

To make matters worse, the classification decision is final, meaning Bryan cannot play for any para-football team. "He is not disabled enough for para football but too disabled for competitive mainstream football," dad Bryan told the Manchester Evening News.

"They said it's not good news, you're not disabled enough to put you through this classification ruling and you won't carry on with the program. Elite sport is brutal at any level, but because it was never considered or mentioned beforehand, you literally walk out of that building and it's the end of the whole thing.

"He obviously took the news quite badly, he's still a bit lost with where he fits and where he can go. As much as organisations promote that football is for all, mainstream football isn't a place for children who struggle with physical or emotional disabilities.

"He was in a difficult place, ready to give up, he's played from the age of eight to 16 and given so much time. We travel every week to Manchester and sacrificed a lot, and now they won't let him play the sport designed for him. How can someone be born with a condition not be eligible to play in a sport represented by that condition?

"He said if he'd gone through an academy and told he wasn't a good enough player, he'd have been disappointed but he could have taken it that he did everything and didn't reach the level. To be told that you're good enough but a rule set by an independent body means there's no going back, there's no other system in the world that doesn't have another route available."

The news was understandably a blow, so Bryan Senior looked to cheer his son up by reaching out to England and Manchester City star Jack Grealish, who is a high-profile supporter of disability sport as his sister Hollie also has cerebral palsy.

Not expecting anything in the way of a reply, Bryan Sr was delighted to get a personalised video from Grealish to show his son last year.

“Keep your head up, mate, keep playing football with a big smile on your face," Grealish said in a touching minute-long video. "We all have setbacks in life and stuff we don’t want to hear, but it’s how you react to that. I’ve had plenty in my time.

“Keep up the hard work, mate, keep your head up. I know how much you love football and also the work you’ve been doing in raising awareness for cerebral palsy and disabilities in football, so keep that up. I’m proud of you; keep playing and never give up on your dreams and never stop playing football."

The video was a huge boost to Bryan Jr, now 17, and over the last year he has taken Grealish's advice by beginning his coaching badges in a bid to help the next generation of para footballers. He has attended Partington-based club CP United for years, and still makes the three-and-a-half hour round trip from South Yorkshire to train with them - but since the classification decision he can't play with them in any competitive game.

Dad Bryan said: "As much as I know he wants to play, I hope his experience and his journey, maybe he can help the next generation and stop something like this happening to someone else. It's similar to the way Jack reached out to him and given him that support.

"To see how much interest Jack took in Bryan's story throughout the years, and recognise some of the work Bryan has done, it was more than saying 'unlucky', there was a personal touch. Ironically we're both massive Manchester United fans, but Jack is one of those players like Gazza who everyone wanted to be in the playground. He's this generation's version of that. Even though he plays for the Blue side, anytime Jack's on the pitch, Bryan is invested.

"When we heard the news Jack didn't get in the England squad this summer, we remembered the video he sent. It was desperately needed at the time. Whether Jack will ever know the impact a minute video will have, it definitely helped. When we was the news about Jack not making the Euro's squad this year, it reminded us and highlighted what a good person he is."