A SOCCER-MAD youngster who has beaten a serious illness will see his dream come true.
Ten-year-old Richard Haydock will meet the players from his favourite team, Chelsea, in March.
Richard was diagnosed with Sinus Venus Thrombosis (SVT), which is similar to meningitis, last April.
He then also contracted a cerebral abscess, an egg-sized lump in the middle of the brain.
Richard, of Benomley Drive, Almondbury, is the first person to have had both the conditions together.
But now fully recovered, he will get to meet the Premiership superstars, thanks to a letter which family friend Tim Wadsworth wrote to Chelsea, known as the Blues.
He was originally meant to meet the players this week, but it had to be cancelled because of the weather.
He will go with his friend James Taylor.
Richard's mum Alison, said: "It is so great for him to be able to meet the Chelsea players. He is really looking forward to it."
Richard was in hospital for six weeks, spending the vast amount of the time asleep. He also lost a fifth of his body weight.
Mrs Haydock said: "All he would do was sleep. But we knew he was finally starting to get better when he woke up one morning and moved the bins to make goal posts so he and the boy next to him could play football."
Throughout his illness, Richard received tremendous support from the staff at Leeds General Infirmary and everyone at Almondbury Junior School.
Mrs Haydock said: "We only coped because everyone was so good to us. The staff at the hospital and everyone at his school were brilliant. I can't thank them enough."
Two weeks after he was discharged from hospital, Richard was back playing for his local team, Longcroft Lions.
Although he found it difficult at first, in his second game Richard scored two goals - so maybe he'll be able to teach the Chelsea stars a thing or two when he finally meets up with them.
