A proud night for local football!!

Sky Sports Victory Shield - England U16s 3 - 1 Northern Ireland U16s

"The Young Ranger" (Braden, my lad), started with Shirebrook Rangers as an nine year old with a group of friends from Whaley Thorns Primary School; Cody, Carlton, Matt and Mason, just a bunch of kids enjoying a kick about and a sense of belonging.

Dudsey used to pick up the Langwith contingent for Team Managers; Wayne, Nige & Brett for the training session at Park Road Recreation Ground, they`d pile out of the car, slip on their gleaming little boots and strolled over to the pitch to enjoy their footie, the banter was quality!

After the session was over they would jump back into the car (usually with half the pitch on their boots) and make our way back home, they used to drive me up the wall, the electric windows were up and down, the radio was on full blast as soon as a favourite tune came on...Bless em!.

Shirebrook Rangers U9`s - 2006  (Mason top right)

After a couple of months watching the rebels develop, a couple of the lads show some real promise, but one lad really begins to stand out; he has an uncanny skills, his spacial awareness is incredible and plays he the game in a very mature manner for his age. Mason has no idea how gifted he is, others have though!  We talked about Mason constantly, yet, as far as he`s concerned he`s just doing something he loves with his schoolmates. If only he knew what we saw back then.

Although Mason hadn`t slipped under the radar (both Chesterfield and Notts Forest had made previous enquiries), the second they mentioned ditching Shirebrook Rangers Mason said "Nah", playing with his best mates was all he wanted to do.

We watched in awe every Saturday as he worked his magic in the Mansfield Chad Youth League. People used to say "where has he learn that", that`s just it; "he hasn`t ! Ironically he was a central defender back then, along-side our Rughead (very good at it too), nothing slipped the lads eyes and was having none of it when Wayne suggested he should try playing up front.

After a couple more months the interest in him was becoming more frequent. Eventually one day a scout from Derby County turned up to have a look at this talented kid from Langwith; he sidled up between me and Mason`s Nana and began to ask questions regarding Mason. After the game, the scout had had discussions with Wayne and Mason`s Nana, eventually they had to sit Mason down and explain that perhaps it was time to take for him to take his opportunity.

Good Luck Mason

The day he left Shirebrook Ranger`s, we all crammed into the changing room at Shirebrook. He was presented with his leaving present `A Man Utd shirt` and a spraying of something wet and fizzy. Thinking back it all seemed a bit embarrassing really; grown men and women openly crying.... not so much an ending but the beginning of something very special.

The B2Net stadium at Chesterfield hosts the Sky Sports Victory Shield U16`s International England against Northern Ireland, and guess who`s in the line up!!

"How often does a lad from this area get to play for his country?, tonight is the answer, and it couldn`t have happened to a nicer lad. The "Young Ranger" has already heard from Mason earlier today and he`s starting the game. Great news!

Mason in action for Derby

Five years on, after refusing trials with Chesterfield and Forest; simply because he didn`t want to let his mates down he is now the talk of Derby County`s academy and it looks like he is causing a stir at an higher level too.

Tonight seems so surreal, in the last couple of seasons prior to Mason`s departure I can`t count the times whilst stood on the sideline we said "If we don`t see Mayo on the telly one day"..........

The B2Net is under siege, no less than 350 tickets have been distributed by Shirebrook Rangers and it looks like half the Academy is here, the PA announces that a very healthy 4126 are in attendance tonight. This place is a credit to Chesterfield Borough Council and the developers, the place is immaculate and the playing surface is a dream.

The Teams emerge from the tunnel, Mayo is wearing the 10 shirt. As the National Anthem plays Dudsey is rushed by Goose Pimple`s, Mrs H is also on an emotional high, the "Young Ranger" is beaming with pride at the sight of his mate enjoying on of his finest moments and even ` The Little Chic` who "doesn`t do football" is up and clapping. This is one proud moment for the "H" household.

"Send her Victorious" (Mason No 10)

The game turns out to be as magical as it was surreal, if you wanted to write a script you couldn`t have dreamt for anything better than the outcome. A blistering run down the right see`s Mason cross a lovely ball in for Lewis Cook (Leeds United) who just manages to push it wide left.

Mason then set up the first goal with an inch perfect through ball to Conor Hunt (Chelsea) who took his goal perfectly in the 17th minute.

England conceded a very sloppy goal just before half-time, Connor Ogilvie (Spurs) slipped allowing Jamie McDonagh to dodge round Man City`s, Angus Gunn (son of Bryan) and sneak it in cheekily off the near post

The second half gets underway and the fairytale starts to unfold, within minutes of the restart, Conor Hunte repays the favour and crosses a lovely ball for Mason to tap home, the place erupts as he takes his 1st goal.

Minutes later, substitute Oluwaseyi Ojo (MK Dons) makes a cracking run in from the left and lofts a ball in just over the Irish defence for the "local hero" to nod into the goal, 3-1 and the game is beyond the reach of the Irish lads but they still try to make a game of it.

Sonupe and Mason in action at the B2Net.

We arrive home and watch the match again, we all sit there transfixed "it really does take some sinking in "Mason`s on Sky Sports" and to be honest it looks like it`s the first of many.

Some decent performances for England`s youngsters tonight, Skipper Rubens Loftus-Cheek made a good showing as did Leeds United`s Lewis Cook and Angus Gunn looked like a "Chip off the old block". But the true star of the show is wearing No10, so with Sir Trevor Brooking looking on, Mason has unknowingly probably just sailed through the only interview he`ll ever have.

Anyone wanting to know Dudsey`s favourite Fairytale? "You`ve just read it!

I know it`s easy to say, but if one young fella deserved a crack at a decent club....it`s Mason. A lovely, humble and well mannered lad whenever you are in his company or if he dropped in for tea.


Wishing you all the best for the future Mason.  Love from  D, K, B & I.