The admiration between fans and players is a two-way street. When one meets the other, the former comes away with a memory to cherish of an interaction with a player who, when out on the park for their A-Leagues club, can appear larger than life.
For the latter, the experience of said interaction can be just as impactful.
Early in the off-season Melbourne Victory star Jake Brimmer pulled up to a local park for a running session.
Near the end of his run, his attention was caught by starry-eyed Archie Morrison, nine years old and a Victory superfan.
“As he ran past Archie’s eyes lit up,” recalled Archie’s dad, Scott Morrison. “He put his hand over his mouth in shock.
Jake stopped, took his earphones out and said g’day. Archie was over the moon. He had a little chat with him, then Archie said: ‘I’m a big Melbourne Victory fan and you’re my favourite player.’ Jake said: ‘Oh really? Wait there.’ He ran to his car, grabbed a shirt out and brought it over, signed it and got a photo with him.
“Archie took the shirt to school and did show and tell with it. His teacher sent us a message saying he talked about it, got up in front of the class and told the story about the interaction. He’s got the shirt pinned up on his wall now, next to his bed.
“I said to a few people that for Jake to stop what he was doing, a lot of people would wave and say hi, and that would be it. But to actually stop and have a chat with him and then jump the fence, run back to his car and get a shirt, it was pretty good of him.”
One month after the interaction, Brimmer and Victory took on Manchester United at the MCG.
Brimmer was one of the many Victory players who were captured in the aftermath of the game waiting outside the United change rooms, hoping to swap kits with the Premier League stars.
Brimmer, a Liverpool youth product, played against Marcus Rashford at U18 level, and was delighted to add the English International’s shirt to his collection of match worn kits, along with Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta’s.
Rashford passes his kit to Brimmer. Brimmer hands a kit of his own to young Archie Morrison. The memories attached to both exchanges are the same.
“That was one of the main reasons why I quickly thought off the top of my head (to give Archie my shirt) when I finished my run,” Brimmer told KEEPUP.
This kid had just come up to me and asked to get a photo… when I was growing up, I supported Victory when I was young, my mum and dad were members, I just remember idolising players at Victory. I remember after games trying to get shirts, trying to get balls that they give out.
“It’s a special moment for that kid, it’s a moment he will remember but also for me, I don’t think of myself as that sort of (player)… I don’t believe anyone is better than anyone else, so to give that kid something to remember forever was special for him, and I’m glad and happy for him.
“I think it gives them that thought of: ‘I want to be like him, I want to become that person that gives away tops and people look up to me.’
“Everything you do on and off the pitch, you’ve got to set an example for these young footballers. That’s our job to do. I’m excited and happy to be a part of that kid’s day and the journey he’ll go on now which is hopefully very special as well.”
Written by Matt Comito for keepup.com.au
