After a memorable hat-trick display at the Bridge against Paris FC in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Sam Kerr noticed a sign dedicated to her. Intrigued, she looked closer and what followed is a truly heartwarming tale. This is the story of how Sam made the dreams of one Chelsea supporter come true…
An electric performance in the 4-1 victory saw Kerr awarded the match ball for her efforts on the pitch. Off the grass though, the 30-year-old has proved to be an inspiration for many, particularly for Chelsea Women fan Roisin.
Emblazoned on her left arm, Roisin has Kerr’s 2022 Women’s FA Cup final celebration tattooed as a sign of appreciation for how much joy Kerr has brought to her football life.
Roisin said: ‘The goal in the FA Cup final that Sammy scored, something in my brain just went I need to remember this moment. The tattoo artist knew the assignment and I absolutely love it.
‘Sam is just so humble and talented. It feels like she has broken down barriers and you can’t not be inspired by that as a woman.’
Attending the European fixture against Paris FC, Roisin stayed until well after the full-time whistle, bringing along a cardboard sign to let her hero know of her appreciation, with it reading: 'Sam Kerr. You are my hero'.
Roisin continued: ‘I was toying with the idea of making a sign and I see the kids with them and I thought, as a 34-year-old is this really lame? But I thought, no, I’m going to do it.
‘My friend said: “You need to go and waggle it. Sam has got to see it!”. So, I managed to get around while Sammy was doing her post-match interview and I would’ve been totally happy if I just got a thumbs up.’
What happened next will remain with Roisin forever.
‘Then it was like, hang on a second, why is she asking for a pen?’ she recalled.
‘She had the match ball and I genuinely thought she had spotted a kid next to me and they were about to get the ball, and then this woman next to me said she was pointing at me.’
Offering the signed match ball, Kerr threw the ball to Roisin where it was safely caught - an unforgettable moment.
She added: ‘The next thing you know, I’m staying outside in the concourse and all these people are stopping and taking photos of me with the ball and I’m brandishing my Sam Kerr tattoo.
‘It’s just something about being at Stamford Bridge. I feel it’s a magic place.’
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