Footballer honoured as premature baby named after him

Wesley spent more than 100 days in hospital after being born early

A footballer says he feels honoured after a couple who endured two miscarriages named their premature baby after him.

Wesley spent 109 days in the neonatal unit at Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital after being delivered at 25 weeks at Ipswich Hospital in April.

Shaquille and Kieran Margetson named their newborn, who weighed 1lb 16oz (800g), after Ipswich Town's Wes Burns, inspired by a goal the winger scored.

The player has now sent a personal video message to the couple, who are from Stowmarket, wishing them all well.

"It is an incredible story and I am really pleased that baby Wesley is doing well and I am honoured you named him after myself," the 30-year-old said.

"Everyone at Ipswich Town wishes you all the best and we send you all our love."

The personal video message has more than pleased Mr Margetson, who has a season ticket at Portman Road.

"It's so nice for Wes to do something like that and acknowledge our story," he said.

"It makes it more meaningful being a supporter when they give their time for little things like this.

"Thanks to Wes and the club. I did joke to say that I'd take him in the carrier to a game, but maybe not quite yet."

Kieran and Shaquille Margetson said the name Wesley had gone down well

The 39-year-old decided Wesley would be a fitting name after seeing the footballer score against Plymouth Argyle in January 2023 just moments before his wife texted him to say she was pregnant.

"I just came home and joked if we had a boy we would have to call it Wesley because Wes Burns was the scorer on the day," he said.

Mrs Margetson later miscarried, but the idea for the name stuck.

"It was a running joke throughout, and then when this one made an appearance we just looked at each other and said 'Yeah, that's what we will call him'.

"Everyone seems to have taken to the name and said how nice it is."

Before Wesley's arrival on 23 April, Mr and Mrs Margetson had experienced two miscarriages so they were concerned he might not survive.

After he was delivered via C-section he was transferred to the neonatal unit with his parents having to wait a couple of days before they could hold him.

"He was the size of three of my knuckles and, yes, [I was worried] he might not make it... it was all a bit of a complete blur," said Mrs Margetson, 32, who is a carer.

The newborn was not much bigger than his dad's hand when he was born

After his 109 days in hospital, Wesley – nicknamed Mr Incredible by doctors – was allowed home.

"Walking through the door was a big moment for us – it just felt like the moment where we knew he was going to be OK," said his mum.

"Feeding him in our own home and being able to relax felt like a weight had been lifted.

"Premature babies are fighters and will be the strongest people you know."

And will Wesley line up for Ipswich Town one day?

"He was a hell of a kicker [during pregnancy]," said Mrs Margetson.

Wesley was born in Ipswich Hospital at just 25 weeks