One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson Signs with Doncaster Rovers Football Club

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louistomlinson-doncaster-080113One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson is going solo, but not when it comes to music.

The 21-year-old is taking his love of football (soccer) to the next level by signing as a non-contract player to Doncaster Rovers Football Club. Obviously, Louis is busy touring the world with 1D so he wouldn’t be able to commit as a contract player, but he will be he will be donning the Rovers colors for a good cuase.

According to the Rovers official website, after discussions between Louis, Paul Dickov and Media Manager Steve Uttley, it was decided that the club could sign him and issue him with a squad number for the 2013/2014 season. As part of the signing it is hoped that Louis will be able to appear in Rovers colours at some point this season in aid of Bluebell Wood and train with the lads. Chairman John Ryan and the Manager Paul Dickov have given Louis the number 28 shirt for this season to help him raise money for Bluebell Wood.

Chairman John Ryan “I am honoured to let Louis play in my number to help raise money for the charity. I wore this in 2003 for my record beating appearance at Hereford and this is the first time I have allowed it to be used since but I felt this was a good cause”

Media Manager Steve Uttley “Louis and I organised last season’s charity game, in aid Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, which was a big success with over 9000 fans attending. It was natural to follow on from that and Louis wanted more involvement to raise the profile of his home town club and Bluebell Wood. What started out as light hearted banter on text has moved on to reality, which is a great coup for the club. Our next step is to get Louis on the pitch again in a Rovers kit”

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Louis Tomlinson says “This has always been a childhood dream for me. I feel very honoured to have been asked to sign for Rovers and being able to help both the club and the amazing charity Bluebell Wood is what it’s all about.”

Claire Rintoul, Chief Executive at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice said: “We’re absolutely thrilled and delighted that Louis has decided to continue his support for Bluebell Wood and promote what we do here.

“Being a local lad it’s great to see him giving back to the community and supporting our children with a shortened life expectancy. He’s visited us now on more than one occasion and met some of our children and their families who are all so excited that he is championing our cause. Louis was shocked when he learnt that we only receive a tiny amount of statutory funding and have to raise over £3million ourselves, but it means so much to us and our children and families that he’s giving his time to help us raise money and awareness.”

Louis took to twitter to say, “Amazing day for me, such an honour to be part of @drfc_official ! Who’s gonna come to a game.”

The Doncaster Rovers also tweeted about Louis’ contract re-emphasizing that Louis will not be making money from these matches, but he will be raising money for charity. “ust to confirm Louis will only play 1 game for the develop squad at KMS to raise funds and awareness for Bluebell Wood & DRFC. Louis will not be making any money from this, his sole aim is to raise funds and awareness for this charity for which he is a patron.”

Congrats Louis! Will you be seeing Louis take the field?