IT’S not often you get the thrill of one son playing at Wembley – let alone two!
Barry and Byron Mason will be running out on the pitch at the iconic stadium tomorrow in the hope of securing victory for Sholing FC in the FA Vase final.
But their biggest fan – proud mum Kim Hall – will miss the biggest game of their lives because the dedicated carer will be more than 100 miles away taking a wheelchair bound and blind client away on her first holiday.
Above son Byron, sporting his Mum tattoo, celebrates going to Wembley with manager Dave Diaper
Kim, a support worker for Future Home Care, has had the long weekend at Longleat in Wiltshire lined up for months.
She said: “Unfortunately I can’t go to Wembley but the boys understand. They know my heart’s in caring for people.
“But I’m so, so proud of them and I’m glad they’re getting to do what they’ve always dreamed of.”
Byron Mason in action for Sholing
Kim won’t be short of people to keep her updated on all the action from Wembley, where Sholing FC will be taking on West Auckland.
Barry, 29, and captain Byron, 27, will have plenty of other family members and friends cheering them on, including their 22-year-old brother Daniel, who plays for Sholing’s Sydenhams Wessex League neighbours Folland Sports.
Barry Mason celebrates Sholing going to Wembley
Barry’s partner, Danielle, is the sister of Sholing’s top scorer Lee Wort and the couple have two children, Omarion and Harmony.
Byron is dad to Amelia while mum-of-five Kim has two grandsons, Levi and JJ, who are on Chelsea’s books. Another grandson ‘Quinny’ plays for Sholing youth.
Kim, 55, added: “I’m hoping to be the first WAG nanny! I breathe and eat football and so do the whole family.
Barry Mason in Sholing action
“I was babysitting when Sholing played their semi-final at Eastbourne. When I heard they’d won I burst into tears and my granddaughter Amelia said: ‘Why are you crying, Nanny?’ I told her it was because I was so happy!
“Danielle, Byron’s partner Chloe and my daughters Debra and Donna will keep me updated by phone from Wembley and take lots of pictures for me.”
It was Kim’s late father, John – a big Saints supporter – who gave Barry his first pair of boots.
“We’ve got a massive playground near us where all the young, local kids play football. The amount of talent in St Mary’s is unbelievable,” said Kim.
“It’s a multi-cultural community and I tell them all to go to Sholing because it’s a club for everyone.”
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