When the Newcastle Jets take to the field against Perth Glory at Hunter Stadium this afternoon, Phil Stubbins’ side will have a new player wearing the captain’s armband – fresh recruit Jacob Moore.
Jacob inked his one game Hyundai A-League contract with the club at his home in Singleton on Good Friday.
Jets Coach Stubbins said Jacob had been recruited for the game against Glory because of his exceptional inspirational and motivational qualities as well his relentless fighting spirit.
“People might look at Jacob’s age (13) and wonder why we’ve signed such a youngster for today’s match, but for us Jacob possesses all the necessary traits to lead the team onto the field against Perth Glory,” Stubbins said. “He’s a fighter, a winner, and an inspiration.”
“Jacob has been battling Bilateral Optic Nerve Gliomas [a form of brain tumour] since 2011, and when the club learnt of his fight management moved to tie him to the team via the club’s ‘Jet Well Once In A Lifetime Experience’ supported by Slater and Gordon Lawyers.
“So instead of Taylor Regan wearing the captain’s armband onto the field this round, we’ve bestowed the honour upon Jacob. Jacob will then wrap the armband around Taylor’s arm just before kick-off,” Stubbins explained.
Before the teams walk out just before 5:00pm today Jacob will watch the Jets warm-up pitchside and attend the final team briefing inside the side’s inner sanctum.
When the match commences he will take in the action alongside his parents, as well as Doctor Frank Alvaro and Lucas Coleman from the John Hunter Children’s Hospital, from just behind the team bench.
And when the game ends Jacob will head back down the tunnel to offer his congratulations or commiserations to his teammates.
Jacob said he will wish the team luck before leading them onto the pitch in front of thousands of fans inside Hunter Stadium and watching live on Fox Sports.
Jacob has received a personalised Newcastle Jets kit to sport throughout his experience and to keep as a memento from today.
Newcastle Jets vs. Perth Glory – Hyundai A-League 2014/15 Round 24
Date: Monday 6 April 2015
Stadium: Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 5:00pm
Tickets: www.JoinTheJets.org
Television: Live on FOX SPORTS 505
Radio: Live on ABC Grandstand & 1233 ABC Newcastle
Twitter: Join the match conversation using #NEWvPER @NewcastleJetsFC
