SHARING the pitch with Swindon Town players was a dream come true for young footballers recovering from a heartbreaking defeat, thanks to the Adver’s Christmas Wish appeal.

STFC goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and striker Miles Storey, who is currently on loan, joined Goddard Park Community Primary School football team last December for a friendly match thanks to a nomination by one of the boys’ mums, Martina Lewis.

She was determined to cheer the team up after the boys lost the final of Swindon Town Football in the Community nPower annual tournament at Croft Sports Centre.

Again this year the Adver is urging readers to nominate a special person or group for the Christmas Wish Appeal 2014, running from December 11 to Christmas Eve.

Martina recalls how the players burst into tears following the defeat. “They went into the final and they were so excited,” said Martina, of Park North.

“But they lost against Brookfield Primary School and when they came off the pitch every single one of them started crying. I’ve never seen anything so heartbreaking.

“I got the Adver and I saw the Christmas Wish was coming up so I thought, ‘let’s do that and see if I can get them a consolation prize’.

A year on, Martina’s son Rhys, 11, fondly recalls the day he took on the Swindon Town professionals: “When we saw them we just thought they were coming to watch us but they played. That shocked everyone. We were really ecstatic.”

If you can think of someone who really needs cheering up this Christmas, tell us. Send in your nomination in the following ways: l Fill in the form on this page and send it to Michelle Tompkins, Christmas Wish Appeal 2014, Swindon Advertiser, 100 Victoria Road, Swindon, SN1 3BE. Attach extra notes if you need to.

l Email mtompkins@swindon advertiser.co.uk with details of who deserves a Christmas Wish, what the wish should be and why. Use the subject header, Christmas Wish 2014’ Include your phone number and theirs.