Rochdale have named a terminally ill five-year-old fan as a substitute in their Checkatrade Trophy clash at Hartlepool tonight.
The League One outfit listed their “youngest ever signing” Joshua McCormack as one of seven substitutes for the trip to Teesside.
NEWS: Five-year-old Joshua McCormack has been named in the Dale squad for tonight's @CheckatradeTrpy match > https://t.co/263XtgQFk5 #RAFC pic.twitter.com/6SGmsl4cn2
— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) November 9, 2016
The keen Dale supporter was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year and his family were told in September that the illness was terminal.
In February the players presented Joshua and his mother with a cheque to help towards a fundraising campaign for treatment, while the youngster was mascot for the day in August.
Manager Keith Hill said the youngster had “touched the hearts of everyone” at the club and added he hoped their “small gesture can bring some light to his family during this difficult time”.
#RAFC Joshua's shirt has pride of place in the dressing room #McCormack55 pic.twitter.com/t7A8ZmS0NQ
— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) November 9, 2016
Joshua is too poorly to attend the game but his shirt, numbered 55, will hang proudly in the dressing room before the match and will take pride of place on the substitutes’ bench. His name will also appear on Wednesday night’s team sheet.
The players and management will visit Joshua in a local hospice on Thursday where they will present him with his matchday shirt, the team sheet and his own junior Dale shirt signed by all the players.
Hill said: “It is a real honour to name Joshua McCormack as a substitute for tonight’s game.
BREAKING NEWS: There will be a new addition to the Dale squad for tonight's @CheckatradeTrpy match. More to follow... #RAFC pic.twitter.com/iCssBhx0Fc
— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) November 9, 2016
“He has touched the hearts of everyone at Rochdale Football Club since we met him for the first time back in February.
“No child should have to go through what Joshua is going through and we, as a club and a group of players, will continue to do whatever we can to support him and his family.
“We hope this one small gesture can bring some light to his family during this difficult time.”
