Top footballer springs a superb surprise for Tom’s birthday

Tom Coldwell, a Year 8 student, knew his 13th birthday would be a little quieter than usual due to the lockdown restrictions. Little did he know that his family had other plans!

Tom is a keen supporter of Huddersfield Town Football Club and his usual birthday treat is to watch the team play. Unknown to Tom, his Dad emailed the club when the lockdown started to ask if it may be possible for someone from the club to send Tom a birthday message, such as an email or a text. A couple of days before Tom’s birthday, the club’s communications officer got in touch and explained that he was going to set up a video meeting between Tom and player Trevoh Chalobah.

Trevoh is only twenty and plays midfield for Huddersfield in the Championship. He is currently on loan from Chelsea and has played for England at all levels, up to under-21.

The call took place, to Tom’s surprise, and Tom asked Trevoh how he got signed as a professional. Trevoh told him he had been at Chelsea since he was eight years old. He was originally scouted by Fulham after playing junior Sunday league football in London. He asked Tom who he played for and what he was doing during the lockdown. Tom said he plays for Richmond Town and that he has been practising in the garden – Trevoh said he’d been doing the same!

Trevoh went on to say it was important to keep in contact with family members and that he was looking forward to spending time with his brother Nathaniel, who plays for Watford in the Premier League. Trevoh said he was sending Tom a signed football shirt for his birthday and invited him to play FIFA against him online. They later swapped a couple of messages on Instagram.

Huddersfield Town FC have produced a video here and which really captures Tom’s complete shock when he hears and sees Trevoh on the screen.  Catch Tom’s reaction at 0.10 seconds and then snippets from their conversation at 1.33, 2.59 and 4.11 minutes during the video.

Tom said: “It was amazing to speak to a professional footballer. He was really down to earth and easy to talk to. It was interesting to hear how he got into professional football and the different positions he’s played.”

Big thanks from Tom’s family to Huddersfield Town, who did an amazing job setting this up on the back of one email!