Many Everton fans were left emotional on social media after the Goodison Park outfit announced Lewis Docherty as the Blues’ Fan of the Year.
Toffees captain Seamus Coleman surprised Docherty by presenting the 11-year-old with his award, after he received more than 1,000 nominations from fellow Everton supporters.
It was a record number of nominations since Everton first presented the club’s Fan of the Year award, with supporters rallying in their numbers to heap praise on Docherty for his work helping Speedo Mick collect thousands of pounds for charity on matchdays at Goodison Park.
Docherty suffers with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which affects his muscles and limbs and has been forced to undergo several operations in recent years, but does not let his disability affect his fundraising efforts.
Fans rallied to praise Docherty for his relentless passion for helping others and displaying the ‘Everton spirit’ in the face of diversity.
Docherty was presented with his award during a video call with Speedo Mick, Fans’ Forum Co-Vice-Chairperson Lisa Vaughan and Coleman, with Vaughan hailing Docherty as an “absolute inspiration to everybody”.
Speedo Mick further explained Docherty’s success as being down to how the 11-year-old “lives and breathes” Everton every day.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans got emotional reacting to Docherty’s success…
I’m not crying you are! Ahh I love my club so much 💙 https://t.co/dkK8qlyza7
— Dr Natalie Cureton (@Natalie_Cureton) August 15, 2020
Superb yet again blues 💙
— Andy Mitchell✊🏾 (@andymitchell73) August 15, 2020
I wish Everton could be as good on the pitch as they are off it
Well done Lewis! https://t.co/N8vbi4REBK
— Shaun Weaver (@ShaunWeaver6) August 15, 2020
Brilliant! A bit dusty around here… 💙
— Paul Clews (@PaulClews2) August 15, 2020
Brilliant 👏👏👏👏 https://t.co/JpPbhxpr2C
— PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS (@Poblfc) August 15, 2020
Love this! Good work Everton! #wba
— chris winston (@chriswinston15) August 15, 2020
I reckon I’ve watched this about 20 times now and it never fails to bring a smile to my face. Brilliant and well deserved, Lewis. 💙 https://t.co/zMKYu15lqg
— Howard Frost (@howard_frost) August 15, 2020
Whose cutting onions ? Well done Lewis !!
— Adam (@TabbyEfc1991) August 15, 2020
Something in me eye here. Superb this. https://t.co/4T3IRmfg8X
— Whizzer (@Christo51747977) August 15, 2020
Fans have also praised Coleman for his role in presenting Docherty with his award, as the Blues captain continues to impress the Everton fanbase for his work off the pitch as much as on it.
The stuff Coleman has done for this club, making lads like Lewis feel amazing 👌 congratulations Lewis https://t.co/AiMaxCFA42
— Josh (@Josh__1878) August 15, 2020