Chris Porter has told the club’s official website of the friendship he has struck up with young Joshua Hearn after he underwent treatment for a rare eye disease. The Crewe Alexandra striker first visited Josh in hospital when he was a player at Colchester United and the connection between the two families has continued.

Josh and his dad Richard often attend Crewe Alexandra matches when we play down south and the little hero got to see his big hero when Crewe recently travelled to Stevenage. Crewe won the game 1-0 as well to mark our first away win of the season. Chris went over to young Josh before and after the game for a catch-up.

Ports explained to crewealex.net: “I first met Josh and the family when I was at Colchester. I went to visit him in hospital there before he had a rare disease which affected his sight. He has recovered now but obviously it was a difficult time for him and the family.

“Footballers get a bad press at times, but a lot of them actually do nice things for the supporters and it has been great. We have kept in touch and he comes to Crewe games when we play down south.

“Hopefully, he can come up to Crewe and be our mascot or something for the day. That would be really nice and it is lovely to see him doing so well.”