Yahoo News The Stokie family cheering on Aaron Ramsdale for Euro 2024 glory
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale will be flying the flag for the Potteries with the support of his loyal family at Euro 2024. The former Thomas Boughey Academy student is a back-up shot stopper for England as they prepare to take on Denmark in Frankfurt this evening.
The 26-year-old, from Chesterton, is officially part of Stoke-on-Trent footballing royalty after becoming the fourth player from the city to represent England at a World Cup in 2022. The others were Stanley Matthews, Bill McGarry and Dennis Wilshaw, who were in England's squad for the 1954 World Cup.
And should anything happen to England's number one Jordan Pickford during the Euros, it could potentially be Aaron between the sticks. But whether he's on the pitch or not, Aaron will have the full support of his two brothers, Oliver and Edward, dad Nick and other loved ones.
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Last year Aaron -- who started out playing for Marsh Town at Red Street Community Centre - vowed not to stay silent when hearing homophobic comments in dressing rooms as he spoke movingly about his 'brave, superstar' gay brother Oliver.
The Arsenal a goalkeeper is the youngest of three boys - with the eldest, Edward, working as a prison guard and Oliver, his middle brother, performing in the West End. The footballer said he had been called 'brave' for defying his critics, but insisted it was his brother, Oliver, who was the 'brave one' in his family.
"My brother is gay, and he's lived his life in an open and authentic way since he went off to school," he wrote in the Players' Tribune. "I'm so proud to say he's my brother. I haven't talked about it before, but with everything going on in football right now, I thought it was important to mention.
"Oliver is a lot like me, in many ways. He's a regular bloke. Loves football. Loves knocking about with his mates. Loves the Gunners. He's proud of me, and I'm really proud of him."
In the article, Aaron pledged to no longer remain silent when hearing homophobic comments because he wants his brother to be able to attend matches without fear of abuse or discrimination.
"Over the years, I've probably bit my tongue a few too many times - both in dressing rooms and on social media - whenever I hear homophobic comments or stupid things being said," he wrote. "And I think maybe my brother has done the same, thinking it would make my life easier. Well, all that ends today.
"It's not the easiest thing to be open like this, but there's never a 'right time'. I've been working on this story since the start of the summer, and my family has given me their blessing."
He added: "I want this game I love to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone. I want my brother, Ollie - or anyone of any sexuality, race or religion - to come to games without having to fear abuse. And when we lift a trophy at the Emirates Stadium, I want my brother there with me. What could the trolls tell us then? Not a thing."
Back in 2014, Aaron was tipped as a name to remember in The Sentinel when he helped Thomas Boughey reach the semi-finals of the English Schools FA Cup. They were eventually beaten by Liverpool-based St Francis Xavier's College, who went on to win the trophy at the Britannia Stadium.
But Aaron, whose uncle Chris Hemming played for Stoke City, forged his junior club career at Bolton Wanderers. His dad Nick explained to the Sentinel in 2016: “He first started playing in goal at the age of about seven-and-a-half. His first manager was Keith Griffiths and he deserves a big mention because he encouraged him to go to the Fred Barber goalkeeping school. Fred then took him to Bolton and they ended up signing him.”
Yet Aaron was released by Bolton at the age of 16, partly because he was too short - although he is now 6ft 3in. He was courted by Huddersfield Town and Sheff Utd before signing for the latter on scholarship terms.
He soon earned England youth recognition and he was still a teenager when used by Chris Wilder in the FA Cup before Bournemouth weighed in with a £1m bid in January 2017. The youngster impressed on loan at Chesterfield and Wimbledon before making his senior breakthrough at Dean Court - and earning a big money move back to Sheffield United. Arsenal came calling in 2021 where he remains an influential player at the club.
