Derby County fan aged two suffers stroke

Reuben is being treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital

A two-year-old Derby County Football Club fan suffered a stroke just days after the team secured promotion.

Now Reuben's family is fighting to help him recover before the Rams take to the pitch in the Championship once again.

A stroke hit the left side of Reuben's brain on 1 May, affecting movement in his right arm and leg and taking away his speech.

But his family hope he will be well enough to return to Pride Park for the first game of the season in August.

His dad, Liam Mather, told the BBC: "Reuben had no health issues, he's a normal little boy, loves football, loves sport.

The family are regulars in the West Stand at Pride Park

"As he was walking into the bathroom with his mum, he put his hand on his head and grimaced as though he was in pain.

"Everything seemed okay and he got in the bath - a couple of minutes later, she noticed his bottom lip on his right hand side started to drop and he couldn't seem to get out of the bath.

"She called 999 and got an ambulance there."

Reuben is currently undergoing treatment at Birmingham Children's Hospital, where his family says he is showing promising signs of recovery.

Liam said: "He hadn't spoken in a week, he's been completely silent, now his words are coming back very slowly.

"Unfortunately we've got no movement in his right arm or right leg. We just have to wait and see and take it day by day."

The family is raising money to pay for private physiotherapy and speech therapy on top of what the NHS can provide and for any adjustments to their home that Reuben may need.

His family hope Reuben could be back at Pride Park next season

Mr Mather said: "The first three to six months of a recovery from a stroke are vital and obviously being two gives him an amazing opportunity to make as much of a recovery as possible.

"As parents we just want to enhance his odds and do as much as possible - and if he doesn't recover as much as we'd like, obviously, then we've got to think about wheelchairs, stair lifts, kitting our house out to make his life as easy as possible.

"We can't believe the reaction our appeal has had from the DCFC family.

"We've had messages from the players, the manager. Everyone's getting behind Reuben.

"I'm so proud. After the promotion it really did feel like we're all in it together then and unfortunately, four days later, we've had an absolute disaster and that family's come together to support Reuben. We really appreciate it.

"We've been in contact with the club who have been amazing. We'll do whatever it takes to get him there."