Former Chelsea and Leeds United owner Ken Bates has moved to help one young fan fulfil his footballing dream.
The Daily Mail reports Bates has donated £10,000 to pay for life-changing surgery.
Leo Stott, who suffers with cerebral palsy and cannot walk unaided, has always wanted to play football without a walking frame.
Hundreds of people donated money to pay for him to have a life-changing operation, with Bates pledging a sizeable chunk of the £45,000 needed.
Monaco-based Bates, who is known in the football world for his abrasive style and nicknamed 'cuddly Ken', told the Mail it is 'ridiculous' the type of surgery Leo needs is not automatically funded on the NHS, especially when breast enlargement and reduction operations are.
"This little kid deserves all the help he can get," he said. "Leo has been raised to believe he can do anything and I believe he absolutely can."
