AUTHOR Dan Freedman used the power of football to encourage local schoolchildren to get reading.
Pupils from several schools met at St. Clements Primary School in Worcestershire, to listen to the writer talk about his career as a football journalist and author, to show the children that becoming a professional footballer isn't the only way into the sport.
Dan had dreamt of football stardom on the pitch, but changed his goal to instead become a football journalist, working for England’s national team, before finally beginning to write his books.
“Hopefully you are going to be a footballer, but if you're not a footballer, there is this whole other array of opportunities that the passion you have for this sport can lead you into," said Dan.
“I think what it's about doing is taking that passion and saying 'well brilliant, you've got something you're so passionate about.'"
Richard Holmes, The Albion Foundation's Worcestershire Development Officer, was convinced that the work of the charity will have a positive impact on the children.
"We have had 68 kids here today to try and encourage them to enjoy reading and writing," he said.
"To use the Premier League badge and use the West Bromwich Albion badge to promote reading, writing and all the other work that we do is massive.
"You can see the impact that it has on the children that we do work with."
The author visit also impressed Sarah Price, a teacher at St. Clements Primary School.
"I know loads of children are desperate to be footballers but in reality we know they won't necessarily make it professionally," said Sarah.
"Dan Freedman who came in did a really good talk about how that was his dream but actually he used writing to achieve his dream through a different direction.
"Hopefully, some of them will come away from it and will remember it for the rest of their lives."
To find out more about The Albion Foundation's work in Worcestershire, please contact richard.holmes@albionfoundation.co.uk.