Praise for Pompey player who hand-delivered birthday card to loving fan

A LIFE-LONG Pompey fan was on a mission to get a signed picture from Dion Donohue '“ his girlfriend's favourite Pompey player '“ for her birthday.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Oct 2018, 14:47 BST
Updated 30th Oct 2018, 15:55 BST
Chloe was in tears when Dion surprised her at The New Inn in GosportChloe was in tears when Dion surprised her at The New Inn in Gosport
Chloe was in tears when Dion surprised her at The New Inn in Gosport

But Tom Judd from Gosport couldn't believe it when the Welsh midfielder offered to '˜do one better' and hand deliver Chloe Randall a birthday card himself.

Tom, 23, private messaged Dion on Twitter asking for a signed photo, and ended up welcoming the player into his dad's pub, The New Inn, where Dion spent more than an hour with his fans on Sunday.

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Tom said: '˜I know Dion is Chloe's favourite player so I messaged him asking for a signed photo, I didn't expect him to reply because he's quite private on there and doesn't really post anything.

Pompey midfielder Dion Donohue surprised fan Chloe Randall at a pub in Gosport for her birthdayPompey midfielder Dion Donohue surprised fan Chloe Randall at a pub in Gosport for her birthday
Pompey midfielder Dion Donohue surprised fan Chloe Randall at a pub in Gosport for her birthday

'˜But he did and he said he'll do one better and offered to meet Chloe in person. 

'˜I walked into my dad's pub with him and Chloe turned around, looked at us, and turned straight back and put her head in her hands.

'˜She went bright red and was in tears, she couldn't believe it.

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'˜Dion gave her a birthday card which he didn't have to do and signed the photos I had printed out.

Tom Judd, right, arranged for Dion, 25, to meet his girlfriend Chloe for her birthdayTom Judd, right, arranged for Dion, 25, to meet his girlfriend Chloe for her birthday
Tom Judd, right, arranged for Dion, 25, to meet his girlfriend Chloe for her birthday

'˜He spent over an hour with us and is just like any normal guy, like one of our mates, talking about his son, his injury and his family.'

Earlier this month Dion revealed the heartache and drama as his son Mason was born earlier this year, with the baby taking a long time to start breathing and his partner Nadine losing a lot of blood. He praised QA Hospital staff for working so hard to save them.

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Dion, 25, chatted to Tom, Chloe and Tom's dad Anthony for more than an hour at the family's Melville Road pub.

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Chloe, 23, and Tom met Dion's mum in Benidorm earlier this year because Tom was wearing his Pompey shirt.

The player's mum spotted him and explained her son '“ Dion '“ played for Pompey and the trio got chatting, even becoming friends on Facebook.

'˜I explained that when I messaged him, so I think it helped,' Tom added.

'˜His mum had already told him she'd met Pompey fans on holiday.

'˜She came running up to me when she saw my Pompey shirt.

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'˜I have a lot of respect for Dion for taking the time to do what he did, it was phenomenal.

'˜I'm a life-long Pompey fan myself so even I was nervous to meet him.

'˜I converted Chloe into a fan when we got together two years ago and she instantly started liking Dion when he started playing for us last season, he's definitely her favourite player.'

Ahead of Chloe's birthday on Thursday, Tom took to Facebook to sing his praises for Dion, posting in the Pompey Fans group.

 

 

 

 

Related topics:Pompey