Preston North End’s League 1 Play-Off Final hero Jermaine Beckford returned the smile to Ted Dockray’s face, with the youngster enjoying a memorable trip to Deepdale.
Ted was the centre of attention after an incident at Wembley which involved Beckford’s match-worn shirt, but the Lilywhites’ hat-trick hero was determined to step in and put a smile back on Ted’s face.”It was a memorable thing for him to have in his grasp at the time and for that to be taken away from him must have been difficult, with all of his friends at school talking about it etc,” Beckford told PNE’s official website.
"I can only imagine how upset he must have been and so for me it was a no-brainer and I had to give hims something that once I’d seen and heard what had happened.
“I just thought it would be a really fitting end to a really memorable day for him.
“It’s one of the best feelings ever to be able to do things like this. I'm in a position where I can do this and it means an awful lot, not just to Ted and the other kids, but just to myself as well."
Ted visited Deepdale with his grandfather George and received another shirt from Beckford, as well as a North End scarf, a signed programme and a mini tour of the ground, which included getting up close and personal to the Sky Bet League 1 Play-Off trophy.
"It’s really good, I’m happy and excited,” said Ted on his visit to Deepdale.
“It’s the best way to spend half-term. I am going to get it [the shirt] framed and hang it up in my bedroom."