Lenny Pyne should be an inspiration to everyone.
It is hard to imagine the courage this remarkable ten-year-old has shown to get him to where he is today.
Born with cerebral palsy which was diagnosed when he was just 13 months old, the youngster needed major surgery just to give him a chance of being able to walk like other children.
But he has bravely fought to overcome his disability.
Football-mad Lenny’s dogged determination first saw him play frame football at the FA’s flagship St George’s Park training ground in Staffordshire – the £105million home of England’s national teams.
But his real dream was to take part in competitive grassroots football closer to his Earls Colne home.
Now that dream has come true after the budding goalkeeper took to the pitch with Coggeshall Town’s under-eights team.
How incredibly proud must dad Matt have been as he watched his son out there?
Lenny may have let in a few goals on his footballing debut, but Matt says his son is undaunted and ready to run out with his teammates again this weekend as he bids to become his team’s number one shot-stopper.
It is impossible not to be moved by the youngster’s impressive achievements.
Lenny’s story is a heart-warming one of triumph over adversity – and a shining example to all of us.
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