Wycombe Wanderers kicked off a fundraising campaign “with a bang” after donating signed memorabilia to the opposition team’s ‘media man’, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Wanderers coach Gareth Ainsworth left Alex Stedman, Crawley Town FC’s media, supporters liaison officer and matchday programme editor, “speechless”, presenting him with a player’s boots and a signed ball before the game yesterday (Saturday).
Mr Stedman was recently diagnosed with the disease and is due to start chemotherapy from next month – he decided to raise money for the John Hartson foundation, which was set up by the BBC and BT Sport pundit after surviving the condition .
He said the Chairboys’ kind gesture left him speechless, calling it “stunning” in a social media post, and appeared to be overcome with emotion.
He wrote: “I'm not often left speechless, but this by @wwfcofficial was stunning earlier. The first to donate for @HartsFND – thank you all, so much.”
The tweet went viral, with sporting bigwigs, including former England cricket skipper Michael Vaughn and TV’s Dan Walker, retweeting it to say how “absolutely fantastic” it was.
Broadcaster Mark Clemmit tagged BBC Sport in his tweet, saying: “@BBCSport Who said football doesn't have soul[?]”.
Crawley Town’s head coach Demrot Drummy also thanked the Chairboys for the gesture, saying it was “absolutely fantastic” and “outstanding”.
Wycombe Wanderers retweeted Mr Stedman’s video of the donation, adding: “Good luck to @crawleytown's media man @astedman1 with your treatment; the football family is right behind you.”
The club later tweeted to say more of their players had offered to donate their shirts.
I'm not often left speechless, but this by @wwfcofficial was stunning earlier. The first to donate for @HartsFND - thank you all, so much. pic.twitter.com/c7b2BKlGSl
— Alex Stedman (@astedman1) February 25, 2017
This show the sort of people we have at our club. @mattcecil87 @damianirvine and the Gaffer #👏@astedman1 you a brave man, good luck #👊 #💪 https://t.co/8dbF7Kn7GV
— Paul Hayes (@hayesy9) February 26, 2017
Class, well done @wwfcofficial https://t.co/c4QiR2dGpu
— Didi Hamann (@DietmarHamann) February 25, 2017
After a week of pie & premier league sackings this is lovely from @wwfcofficial 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/UbuzUqWjfZ
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) February 25, 2017
@BBCSport Who said football doesn't have soul. https://t.co/8qEIPGccXI
— Mark Clemmit (@MarkClemmit) February 25, 2017
This is absolutely fantastic ..... https://t.co/3xqQlN4p2A
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 25, 2017
@crawleytown @dermotdrummy7 @astedman1 congratulations on the win guys; more of our players have offered their shirts etc to be donated.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) February 25, 2017
Absolutely brilliant - well done Gareth Ainsworth and Wycombe Wanderers. https://t.co/zZHbPk5Ohr
— DAVID JONES (@DavidJonesSky) February 25, 2017
Good luck to @crawleytown's media man @astedman1 with your treatment; the football family is right behind you. https://t.co/dOowIGuzYb
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) February 25, 2017
A wonderfully moving gesture with the entire playing squad in attendance. It was filmed, so you'll be able to see how speechless I was...
— Alex Stedman (@astedman1) February 25, 2017
Genuinely just been left speechless in the home dressing room here @wwfcofficial. Gareth Ainsworth presented me with items for @HartsFND.
— Alex Stedman (@astedman1) February 25, 2017
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here