Meeting Mourinho a dream for Shrewsbury boy Lloyd, 11

Promising player Lloyd Burton met Mourinho before his Chelsea side beat Shrewsbury Town 2-1 in the Capital One Cup at the Greenhous Meadow.

It came just weeks after Lloyd met David Beckham, after the star heard of his brain tumour battle.

The 11-year-old Shrewsbury schoolboy had been scouted by clubs including his beloved Manchester United, as well as Aston Villa, Port Vale and Shrewsbury for their junior teams.

But his dream of a career on the pitch was cut short when he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma in May last year.

Lloyd has undergone rigorous treatment including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy which has left him with life-changing side effects and he now uses a wheelchair.

But his illness has not stopped him playing a big part at Shrewsbury Town Football Club where the players have hailed the youngster "inspirational".

Lloyd was lost for words when he met Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho before last Tuesday's game.

"It was a dream come true for him," said Lloyd's father David.

"He was a bit star struck and didn't know what to say for a few minutes."

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As part of a scheme to involve children from the community in the club, Lloyd had applied colour to a paint-by-numbers portrait of Mourinho, which the Portuguese manager signed before kick-off.

It will be auctioned to raise money so Lloyd, who may never walk again, can have his quality of life boosted with a lift installed in his house and a wet room so he can bathe comfortably.

Manager Micky Mellon describes Lloyd as the club's 'most famous' supporter after appearing alongside Beckham on the recent Stand Up To Cancer fundraising programme on Channel 4.

The surprise meeting, which aired during Stand Up To Cancer's TV show, showed Lloyd talking to David about their shared passion for Manchester United and what Beckham been up to since retiring from his football career.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United great also quizzed Lloyd about any girlfriends he has at school and reveals some lessons which he's teaching his little girl Harper, the youngest of the Beckham brood.

The Meole Brace Primary School pupil who has been treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital, said: "I had no idea that I was going to meet David Beckham, it was such a brilliant surprise. He was really nice and we chatted lots. He told me a bit about his family and other normal stuff and we talked about football quite a lot too. I love football and Beckham is one of my favourite players so I'll always remember that day."

Lloyd's mother Di said: "It's an understatement to say that these past few months have been the hardest for our family; there are days that feel impossible to get through and unfortunately we know that there will be more difficult days to come. So it was such a joy to see Lloyd when he met David - he couldn't believe his eyes, he was so excited and for a few minutes he was speechless.

"The meeting with David provided Lloyd with a small respite from his every day challenges and brought a little bit of sunshine into his life. David chatted and really put Lloyd at ease, he was totally thrilled by the whole experience.

"Lloyd has been so brave and we're really proud of him. Sharing his story as part of Stand Up To Cancer is incredibly important to our whole family."

Earlier this year Lloyd went on to the pitch at Wembley Stadium as England played their last home match against Peru before they headed off to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.