One Direction star does a star turn for Doncaster Rovers

FILE - JANUARY 30: British-Irish boy band One Direction has been named Top Global Recording Artists of 2013 by the IFPI. LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20:  (L-R) Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles of One Direction pose with their Brits Global Success Award in the press room at the Brit Awards 2013 at the 02 Arena on February 20, 2013 in London, England.  (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images)
Powered by automated translation

One Direction pop star Louis Tomlinson lived the dream of many fans by playing for his club when he turned out for Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday.

Tomlinson came on as a 65th minute substitute for Rovers in their reserve match against Yorkshire rivals Rotherham as part of a charity partnership with the local Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice in northern England.

More than 5,000 fans – an extraordinary figure for a midweek reserve match between two lower league clubs – turned out to watch Tomlinson, with many of the crowd, some of whom had come from as far afield as Mexico, used to pop concerts rather than football matches.

Tomlinson's day started with a visit to one-year-old Harrison Ellmer, who made a remarkable recovery after being sent to Bluebell Wood for end-of-life treatment as a newborn.

Harrison was given just days to live when he contracted meningitis at three weeks old but defied doctors' predictions to survive.

Tomlinson said: "Harrison's story is remarkable, it's been inspirational meeting him and his family. I can't think how difficult it must have been for them.

"Bluebell Wood is a fantastic place that helps so many children and I'm honoured to be their patron and help raise money," he added.

Fans paid £7 (nearly Dh43) to watch Tomlinson's football debut, with all profits going to the hospice.

– Reuters