Finally, a POSITIVE story about rugby league: The touching tale behind a photo of footy star Latrell Mitchell and an elderly wheelchair-bound fan
- Image of Latrell Mitchell interacting with elderly fan has garnered attention
- Roosters fan Sandra Ashley organised to take her mother, Jean, to an NRL game
- They were playing on Jeans birthday, the last she would celebrate with family
- After the game the pair went round to the members area to meet the young star
- He spent time chatting with Jean, wished her a happy birthday and took photos
A photograph of NRL star Latrell Mitchell interacting with an elderly, wheelchair-bound fan has touched the hearts of thousands of football fans.
Hardcore Sydney Roosters fan Sandra Ashley organised to take her mother, Jean, to an NRL game for her birthday in April 2018.
In remembrance of her mother and as gratitude towards the young football star, Ms Ashley posted the interaction to Facebook expressing her gratitude.
An image of NRL star Latrell Mitchell interacting with an elderly, wheelchair-bound fan has touched the hearts of thousands of football fans (pictured: Latrell Mitchell and Jean)
Hardcore Sydney Roosters fan Sandra Ashley organised to take her mother, Jean, to an NRL game for her birthday in April 2018 (pictured at the game)
Sandra Ashley shared a touching post to Facebook, expressing her gratitude and praise for Latrell Mitchell (pictured with daughter Inala)
'She used to go to the football every week - she was an ardent roosters supporter, and it had been many years since she had been there,' Ms Ashley told Daily Mail Australia.
The Roosters happened to be playing a game on April 12, 2018 - the last birthday Jean would be able to celebrate with her family.
'After the game we went around to the members to see some friends,' Ms Ashley said.
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Following the game, Mitchell's family would always be standing there to greet their favourite player and wait while he signs autographs and takes pictures.
'I just went over and I said "Hi Latrell" and he asked how I was going and gave me a hug and I said "I've got my mum here tonight, it's her birthday can you come say hi?"'
The now 21-year-old went over and spent some time chatting with Jean and wished her a happy birthday.
Jean was taken aback by the young player, continuously calling Mitchell beautiful and lovely.
Following the game, Mitchell's family would always be standing there to greet their favourite player and wait while he signs autographs and takes pictures (pictured Mitchell with his partner)
The now 21-year-old went over and spent some time chatting with Jean and wished her a happy birthday
'He put his arm straight on her shoulder and she's just staring at him and she's going "you're so beautiful, oh he's so lovely, oh your skin's so beautiful" and she kept touching him,' the Roosters fan said.
Ms Ashley said she had to tell her mother to behave but Jean couldn't help herself, barely taking her eyes off the young man while having their picture taken.
'All the way home I wanted to throw her out of the car because she wouldn't stop going on about him,' she said.
'She never did get to go to the football again but she didn't miss a game. She used to sit there and say "That's my boy! That's my boy!"'
'He touched her so much.'
Ms Ashley said she had to tell her mother to behave but Jean couldn't help herself, barely taking her eyes off the young man while having their picture taken (pictured Mitchell with his daughter, Inala)
Jean passed away in December 2018, but not before she got to see her favourite team come home with the premiership.
Knowing it may be her mother's last season, Ms Ashley told the team they've got to win this season for Jean.
'I went to the manager of the Roosters, I said "You tell those boys they've got to win the grand final because my mum's not going to make another one",' she said.
The Roosters went on to win the grand final, making Jean - and the rest of the Roosters obsessed family - extremely happy.
Jean passed away in December 2018, but not before she got to see her favourite team come home with the premiership
'She was just so beside herself and she went on about Latrell. She said, "To watch him win a grand final, it's just made my life", so it's just really special to us,' Ms Ashley said.
'A beautiful beautiful memory that I'll carry for the rest of my life.'
The Facebook post has quickly garnered more than 2,000 reactions and has been shared 285 since it was posted less than 24 hours ago.
'Latrell made a very very special lady feel really really special. He definitely ticks all the boxes that kid, he's amazing,' Ms Ashley said.
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