England’s Jack Grealish keeps promise to fan with goal celebration against Iran

Jack Grealish kept a promise to a young fan with cerebral palsy as he celebrated his first World Cup goal for England against Iran in Qatar. Grealish had met Finlay, a Manchester City supporter, this year after he had written to the City player inspired by Grealish speaking about his younger sister, Hollie, who also has cerebral palsy.

Grealish had promised the 11-year-old that he would do the special celebration dance next time he scored, and kept his word. The midfielder came on as a substitute and scored England’s sixth goal as they swept past Iran 6-2 in their opening fixture on Monday.

Finlay also received a signed City shirt from his hero, who had negotiated about the celebration. The young boy had initially requested Grealish do a hip-hop move called the worm, but the pair settled on a dance with wavy arms that involved a little less physical exertion and risk of injury.

Hollie has featured frequently on Grealish’s Instagram feed, notably in August this year when she celebrated her 19th birthday. “I love her so much,” Grealish had said in a video.

“We are so close. She was born three months premature and they said she would not be able to talk, walk. And here we are today, and she can do everything.”

Finlay wrote to Grealish after hearing the comments to tell him: “It makes me really happy when I see that you, a famous footballer, knows what it’s like to live with people with cerebral palsy,” and asked to meet.

Grealish said the letter had made him smile and told Finlay, who spoke in the letter of his difficulties trying to play football with cerebral palsy: “There is no need to get frustrated as long as you play with a smile on your face. That is all that matters.”