Mother of England U17 star Rhian Brewster: 'I've been crying ever since his hat-trick'

On target: Rhian Brewster hit a hat-trick to send England to the World Cup Final
AFP/Getty Images
Ben Morgan27 October 2017

The mother of English football’s next great hope today revealed her family’s sacrifices and how she almost missed her son’s big moment.

Liverpool forward Rhian Brewster lit up the Under-17 World Cup semi-final against Brazil with three goals to take the young England team into tomorrow’s final.

It was the Romford-born teenager’s second successive hat-trick in the tournament and he is tipped for big things after leading the competition’s goal count, with seven strikes. His mother Hulya Hassan, 41, today told the Standard of her pride at watching her son at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

After suffering a last-minute delay on her journey to the city she and Rhian’s sister Jaylece, 13, had to dash through the airport and reached the stadium moments before kick-off.

Speaking from her hotel, she said: “I got off the plane with Jaylece and went straight to the game. We were running through the airport and it was hearts-in-our-mouths time. But we arrived just in time. I can’t explain how it felt to see my son score a hat-trick. Words cannot describe what it means to the family. It is such a pleasure being here beside him. It’s the first England tour I’ve done.”

After the game on Wednesday, which England won 3-1, Ms Hassan and Jaylece spent a few hours with Rhian at the team hotel. “I have been crying since Thursday. It’s been so emotional as you sacrifice so much to get this far,” she said. “But it’s paid off 100 per cent, though we have been through so much as a family.” England now face Spain in the final.

Rhian, 17, who attended Chadwell Heath Academy, was discovered aged seven playing for Shield Academy in Barkingside — where he “beat everyone on the pitch”, scored a goal then put the ball back on the centre circle. His first coach, Shield Academy’s founder and director Dan Seymour, stood next to Chelsea scout Martin Taylor at the game. Mr Seymour said: “I have never seen a child at age seven have the quality he had. It was natural ability and hard work.”

EPA

Taylor, now an Arsenal scout, signed him on the spot after a phone call with his father Ian Brewster. “As a scout you look for a bit extra in a player. Rhian had that glint in his eye,” said Taylor.

Rhian signed for Liverpool’s academy three years ago and is yet to make his senior debut. Ms Hassan sold part of her hairdressing business in Chadwell Heath to move to Merseyside. She has since moved back, with Rhian living with a family assigned by the club, and makes regular 440-mile round trips to see his progress.

She said: “I sold part of my business so Rhian could live his dream. He has loved football since age of two.”

Ms Hassan said tomorrow’s final will give England a chance for “revenge” after losing 4-1 to Spain on penalties, after a 2-2 draw, in the final of the European Under-17 Championships in May — when Rhian missed a penalty. “The boys will be hungry and Rhian is very determined,” she said. “It’s all about revenge and them coming home with the cup. I have faith in them.”

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