Asamoah Gyan keeps promise to young Sunderland fan

Posted On Friday, 14th October 2011

Billy Ellison, five, is given a signed Ghana shirt by his hero Asamoah Gyan before Ghana's friendly with Nigeria.

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan stayed true to his word to meet up with his biggest fan who was upset over his move from Sunderland to Al Ain.

The Ghana player, who left the Black Cats last month on loan to United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain, upset five-year-old Billy Ellison, who had got his hero’s name printed on his red-and-white shirt just days before the move.

But when Gyan saw the Echo’s story of little Billy’s disappointment, he took to micro-blogging site Twitter to express how bad he felt for him.

With the help of his management team, Gyan then invited Billy, along with dad Carl, to Ghana’s friendly international with Nigeria, which was held at Watford’s Vicarage Road this week.

Today, Carl hailed Gyan for keeping his promise.

Carl, 33, said: “It went absolutely brilliantly. We went to the team hotel where the Ghana players were staying and they came off the bus as we were waiting there.

“I didn’t expect him to know who we were really but he saw Billy’s Sunderland hat, came over and picked him up and said ‘have you come all this way to see me?’.

“I thought we’d only get a minute with him, but he spent a good half-an-hour with us.”

Gyan played the second half of the match, which ended 0-0.

Carl said: “After the game he gave him his strip that he wore in the game all signed up and also signed his Sunderland shirt.

Billy Ellison, five, is lifted by his hero Asamoah Gyan before Ghana's friendly with Nigeria.

“As well as that he gave Billy £100 for getting the name and number on his shirt before he went.”

Despite leaving suddenly in controversial circumstances, with many Sunderland fans feeling Gyan has sacrificed playing at a higher level to earn more money, his pledge to Billy, from South Shields, has seen him been praised by football fans.

Unfortunately, Billy, who also has a rabbit named after Gyan, could not persuade him to cancel his current loan move and return to Wearside.

His stay in the Middle East is expected to finish sometime next year.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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READERS COMMENTS

texas says:

October 14, 2011 at 1:15 pm

That was nice Gyan. That was very kind of you.

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Fred Bortey Kyeremeh says:

October 14, 2011 at 1:30 pm

Very impressive.This will forever be a proud moment for Billy and Carl.Such an exceptional behavior and treatment from a ‘superstar’. This gesture will enhance Gyan’s reputation as a fan favourite.He should keep it up.Am really humbled by that.

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real sabacious says:

October 14, 2011 at 1:41 pm

am touched by gyan nice gesture! keep it u!

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Paa Kwasi says:

October 14, 2011 at 2:05 pm

Gyan is a gentleman. Whoever is managing is public relation matters is doing very well. May he play, score, sing and dance azonto.

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Collinto papa says:

October 14, 2011 at 2:14 pm

This shows maturity.
Gyan you’re really a hero.

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big bro says:

October 14, 2011 at 2:37 pm

thank you for the gesture. that boy will forever remember that incident. bro, hurry up and get back to EPL so you can do what u do best

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A cool guy says:

October 14, 2011 at 2:56 pm

Well done Gyan for keeping your promise so you are now the fans hero. The fans will deginitely open their arms to yo if you stage a come back because you have have started building bridges.

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A cool guy says:

October 14, 2011 at 3:03 pm

Correction ..definitely open their arms…

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marion says:

October 14, 2011 at 3:04 pm

hahaha dat kid is silly to name his rabbit after gyan….very funny.thanks gyan 4 being straight up.9ja by blood.

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Derek says:

October 14, 2011 at 3:05 pm

I’m actually happy as a Ghanaian for what Asa has done. A good PR for ur motherland. Thanks man.

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don kekye says:

October 14, 2011 at 3:41 pm

Nice gesture Gyan,i am really humbled and even proud to be a Ghanaian,the little fella has something to cheer about now and will forever remember you when when he grows up!!!!hmmmmmm

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Kwadwo Addai says:

October 14, 2011 at 5:48 pm

Way3 ade3

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boss says:

October 14, 2011 at 6:03 pm

Y do nigerians check ghanasoccernet? lol.am jux curious. Are there any gh peeps who check naija sports news?

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- nana says:
  
  October 15, 2011 at 5:34 am
  
  i always check naija sports sites wbheneva we whip their ass to laugh about the reasons they give for the loss………..its soo interesting to read those funny pathetic lies they concort to decieve thier fans.
  
  Reply to this Comment
Adahunzu says:

October 14, 2011 at 6:35 pm

The boys mother was there too, there should be some write up about her as well. Ghanasoccernet where did you get your info? I was there when all this happened.

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- Kaygee says:
  
  October 14, 2011 at 8:01 pm
  
  This is a copy paste thing from Sunderand Echo. Ghanasoccernet does not have any other information apart from this.
  
  Reply to this Comment
lamb says:

October 14, 2011 at 8:25 pm

and what are u giving to the millions of blackstar fans whose hearts u have broken many times over by throwing away precious penalties

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- Atopa says:
  
  October 16, 2011 at 9:17 am
  
  He has your mother as a present for those millions to f**k!!!!
  
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sheik sesay says:

October 14, 2011 at 9:23 pm

good one gyan.

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Ob-Dan says:

October 15, 2011 at 7:40 am

That is lovely to hear and watch. Keep it up man

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Apple says:

October 16, 2011 at 10:23 am

@lamb you are a big fool. Ppl like lamb’s shd be erased from coming to this site. Gv praise to Gyan when he deserves it nd stop those useless talks

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