A DAD has revealed his shock after football fans tried to grab Dan Burn’s shirt off of his 11-year-old son.
Newcastle fan Nathan Junior Surrey, known as NJ, was at his side’s Boxing Day match against Leicester with his dad as a Christmas present.
Goals from Chris Wood, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton sent Toon up to lofty second in the Premier League after a dominant performance.
And as the game ended Magpie stars Joelinton, Bruno Guimarães and Dan Burn chucked their tops to the fans after a 3-0 win.
But it sparked bedlam as supporters began tussling over Burn’s shirt.
NJ, 11, managed to catch the defender’s shirt only to be tackled by adult supporters desperate to get their hands on it themselves.
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In a video posted on Twitter a grown woman can be seen trying to wrestle the black and white top from the schoolboy’s hands.
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A stocky middle aged man also appeared to be grabbing the shirt but was thought to be helping NJ get the jersey back.
Stewards finally intervened to resolve the dispute as the lucky schoolboy ended up with the shirt.
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NJ’s dad, Nathan, a 39-year-old landscape gardener, said: “NJ was standing on the rail shouting ‘give us your shirt’. Then Dan Burn pointed at him and gave the top to the steward who threw it into the crowd.
“An older woman grabbed it and started tugging on it, then the man in the middle, who she was with, also snatched it but he said he was getting it for NJ.
He continued: “He’s a huge Newcastle fan. We go to every game but this was his second away game.
“His uncle got him the tickets for Christmas.”
The father-of-three claims he doesn’t want the other fans involved in the tussle to receive any backlash.
Nathan added: “I don’t want anyone to be slated, everyone gets carried away and anyone would try to grab the shirt.
“The man in the middle actually helped us because he allowed NJ to go in front of him for the game.
“If the steward hadn’t broken it up and got the shirt it may have ripped or he wouldn’t have got it.
“The players don’t know what it means to the kids to have their shirts.
“Everyone says he’s lucky to have caught the shirt but it’s persistence.
“He’s always there early and stays late so the players recognise him.”
The young fanatic says he is going to frame the shirt – and will keep the memento from his hero forever.
And loyal supporter NJ also revealed he already has a pair of gloves worn by goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka.
NJ, who has owned a season ticket for two years, said: “It was the best Christmas present I received.
“I was very happy. I go to every game and get there twenty minutes early to talk to the players.
“I stay after the games as well, I won’t leave until I’ve seen them.
“I go to the training ground when the players are there.
“Dan Burn is one of my favourite players. I’m going to keep the shirt for a long time.”
His mother, Stacey Surrey, a 33-year-old carer, said: “NJ is going to frame it but he won’t let me wash it first.
“It still has some mud on from the pitch.
“The footballers are heroes to kids, it’s the biggest hero he will come across.
“I can’t believe the online response, it’s on Twitter, TikTok and
Instagram. It’s overwhelming.”
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It is now six Premier League wins on the bounce for Eddie Howe’s side.
And they are just four points off league leaders Arsenal, though have played two games more.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
