Leeds United fan Heath recently visited Thorp Arch to meet his hero Willy Gnonto, after his story about the Italian forward won the Leeds United Foundation’s World Book Day short story competition.

Open to all schools partnering with the club’s official charity through the Premier League Primary Stars initiative, the first-team players were delighted to welcome the youngster to the training ground and turn his short story ‘Heath meets Gnonto’ from fiction into reality.

After chatting with the seven-year-old and his family, Willy presented him with a signed shirt and goody bag, before giving the trio a tour of Thorp Arch and introducing them to the first team squad and backroom staff.

The main event of the afternoon was to shortly follow, as Heath then read his story to Willy and several other Leeds United players.

Tara Nolan, Premier League Primary Stars Lead for the Leeds United Foundation, said: “He has had the best day ever! He hasn’t slept for two days his parents said, he has been counting down until he could get up here. He thought he was just going to meet Willy, but he has ended up meeting nearly the whole team, so he has had the best day ever in his words.

“His story went down really well, and it takes a lot of courage for a seven-year-old to stand up in front of these players and actually read his story, which he did brilliantly, so a huge well done to him!”

The Premier League Primary Stars Programme uses the power of football to inspire and engage primary children to learn, be active and develop important life skills.

The educational sessions focus on creating a positive learning environment, encouraging respect and teamwork to help students develop their confidence in an enjoyable setting.

For more information on the Premier League Primary Stars programme being delivered by the club’s official charity, please contact: Tara.Nolan@leedsunited.com.