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Everton signing Harry is in it heart and soul

by Miles Skinner
19/ 3/2008

IT’S every boy’s dream. But for seven-year-old Harry Yates pulling on the boots for a Premiership football team is a reality.

He’s about to be signed by Everton.

The Heaton Mersey footie fanatic, who has kicked since he could crawl, was spotted by several soccer scouts as he played for his local junior side, The Vipers.

After a flurry of interest from a number of first class teams, including Manchester United and Liverpool, his parents chewed it over and decided the aspiring goalkeeper will be given the best care by the Goodison Park side.

Harry, who plays for his Didsbury Road Primary School as well as The Vipers, will meet with manager David Moyes to sign on the dotted line next Wednesday.

Harry’s father Phil, himself a former goalie for Denton and Hyde teams, reckons it was only a matter of time.

"He has no other real hobbies - it really is his number one passion," he said.

"We even had to get him a soft ball because we can’t stop him kicking around inside, so bang go the ornaments and glassware."

Harry also practices every day with the half-sized nets that have been put up in his Meltham Close back garden.

Neighbour David Hulme said: "Any evening whatever the weather all you have to do is look over and Harry will be kicking it into the back of the net."

The young prodigy will practice on the same grass as the first team at their Finch Lane facility in Halewood. He’ll also get to meet the stars.

"He’s not stopped talking about it and says he has butterflies in his tummy," said Phil, a plumber and heating engineer."

No money will change hands, although hopes are high that the impending move could lead to a new strip replacing the Stockport Soccersports kit Harry’s parents last bought him.

"He is old enough to understand what a big thing it is but his mother and I have kept his feet on the ground." added Phil.

"He also knows he can be dropped just as easily if the effort flags but it will be a fantastic experience."

Proud mum Julia added: "Our biggest concern is that he enjoys his journey."

And is Everton Harry’s favourite team? "It is now."

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