Story added: 23rd January 2020

Young Murray gets moment in the Carrow Road spotlight, thanks to EA Sports

There was a moment to remember for young Norwich City FC superfan Murray Mead at last month’s Premier League home match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Thanks to an initiative between the Community Sports Foundation (CSF), EA Sports and the Premier League, Murray was given the unique chance to be the ‘referee mascot’ for the game and join the two teams for the tunnel walk-out.

Coaches chose Murray specifically for the role, as a reward for his stellar attitude on our Premier League Primary Stars programme, which is run at his school Old Catton Junior by the Foundation.

Jake Mardell, CSF’s Premier League Primary Stars Development Officer, said:

“Murray had demonstrated Premier League’s ‘Be Fair’ value excellently throughout his time with us on the programme. He always made sure his fellow classmates were included, and put himself before others.”

He continued: “He particularly enjoyed the opportunities to referee and umpire in PE and demonstrated all the right social skills to adjudicate a game fairly and keep both teams happy.

“Murray’s Mum said to me that when her son learned the news that he’d be chosen, it was ‘no longer a countdown for Christmas, but a countdown to the match!’”

After the game, Murray said, “It was a great experience; my highlight was getting to shake Harry Kane’s hand during the line ups.”

Jake Mardell reflected: “It’s amazing when we are given the chance to reward deserving pupils with opportunities like this. Murray was an easy choice for this particular opportunity and the school and his family were so proud of him.”

“We would like to thank EA Sports for providing opportunities like this.”

To find out more about the Primary Stars programme, please click here.