City's under-11 academy goalkeeper Francis Abolemi fractured both of his knees when going to collect the ball during a match for his other team Sprowston Tigers.

It is thought the injury will keep Francis, whose mum and dad work at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, off the pitch for a year.

When Gunn found out about the injury from academy coach Colin Watts, the Scotland international video called Francis to send his best wishes.

Angus Gunn in action (Image: Newsquest)

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And the youngster, who lives in the Clover Hill area, even got a signed shirt and a pair of gloves from the first-team keeper.

Mr Watts said: "When Angus found out he was delighted to give him a call, but I thought we could do more.

"I went to Pete Dye the kitman and he was able to get Angus to sign a shirt for Francis and when I went to collect it he'd thrown in a pair of gloves as well.

"I took the shirt over to his house last Sunday and he was in his room with his mates playing computer games.

"I knocked on the door and said 'don't mind my interruption, but I've got something to give you'.

"Then I presented him with the shirt and gloves and he was over the moon, to be honest he was a bit tearful."

Young Norwich City keeper Francis Afolemi (Image: Colin Watts)

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Mr Watts, who has been part of city's youth system for more than 30 years, said Francis' injury was very rare given the way he did it.

He added: "Normally it's a collision when going to a player's feet, but he was just dropping to collect the ball.

"To be honest it couldn't have been worse, he was in hospital for two weeks, but he's started a long period of rehabilitation and is determined to return between the posts as soon as possible."

QOSHE - 'He was a bit tearful' - City keeper calls youngster after serious injury - Casey Cooper-Fiske
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'He was a bit tearful' - City keeper calls youngster after serious injury

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20.05.2023

City's under-11 academy goalkeeper Francis Abolemi fractured both of his knees when going to collect the ball during a match for his other team Sprowston Tigers.

It is thought the injury will keep Francis, whose mum and dad work at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, off the pitch for a year.

When Gunn found out about the injury from academy coach Colin Watts, the Scotland international video called Francis to send his best wishes.

Angus Gunn in action (Image:........

© Eastern Daily Press


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