Inspiring People who knew Bradley

A Heartfelt Thank You to Nigel Mascot

For the past 13 years, Nigel Mascow has been more than a coach to our family — he's been a guiding light. He has known Bradley since he was just eight years old, a young boy with a big love for football. From the very beginning, I always said to Bradley, "We’ll find different ways of doing things." And it was through that mindset that we crossed paths with Nigel, who was coaching and managing a local disability football group with Bradleys favourite football club Aston Villa which meant a lot to Bradley.

At the time, Bradley was struggling to keep up with the other children. He was falling often and getting tired quickly. We started to notice he wasn’t enjoying the sessions as much — he felt slower, left behind. But Nigel noticed too. One evening after training, he pulled us aside and gently shared what he had observed. He saw how Bradley was withdrawing, how he was losing joy in the game he loved. That’s when Nigel told us about a wheelchair football team called the Villa Rockets and asked if Bradley would be interested in attending a training session to meet the coach, Amir.

The moment Nigel mentioned it, Bradley’s eyes lit up. He was excited — something we hadn’t seen in a while. At a time when he was grappling with the loss of his independence and learning to rely on a wheelchair, this opportunity gave him hope. And that evening, at just 9 years old, Bradley began a new chapter: playing the game he loved, but in a way that worked for him.

Thanks to Nigel, Bradley was no longer focused on what he couldn’t do — he was discovering all that he could do. Wheelchair football became more than a sport for him. It became his passion, his joy, and a place where he could connect with others who understood his journey.

Nigel has worked with the Aston Villa Foundation — formerly known as Villa in the Community — since 1990. Throughout his career, he has championed inclusion and opportunity for young people with disabilities. In 1998, he founded wheelchair football and played a key role in building the Villa Rockets from the ground up, bringing in two very special people along the way — Paul and Amir — both of whom have a huge place in our hearts. Together, they created not just a team, but a family.

We will always be grateful to Nigel for seeing Bradley — really seeing him — his struggles, his potential, and his need for something meaningful. Nigel gave Bradley the gift of belief, belonging, and the space to shine. Watching my little boy grow into a confident young wheelchair football player, surrounded by teammates who share his love of the game, has been nothing short of life-changing.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, Nigel. You gave Bradley something no one else could at a time he needed it most.

Amir's Story: Meeting Bradley and the Villa Rockets Journey

Amir met Bradley when Bradley was just 9 years old, and their friendship lasted for 9 years until Bradley sadly passed away at the age of 18. It was Nigel who first introduced Bradley to Amir, knowing it would be a meaningful connection. At the time, Nigel saw something special in Bradley and believed that wheelchair football could offer him not only a chance to grow but to thrive.

Amir was already part of the Villa Rockets, a powerchair football team that represents Aston Villa. Since Bradley was also a devoted Aston Villa fan, there was no doubt where he belonged. He started training with the Villa Rockets, and from there, his passion and skill for football flourished — just in a different form. The sport gave Bradley an opportunity to express himself and show his talents on the pitch in a powerful and unique way.

As Amir recalls, when they first started, they used their everyday wheelchairs fitted with bumpers that allowed them to strike the ball. It’s fascinating to watch how players control both their powerchair and the ball simultaneously — a level of coordination that takes serious skill. Amir remembers a particular moment when professional Aston Villa players visited to try out the electric football chairs. Even in top-of-the-line equipment, they struggled to control the ball, while Bradley confidently did circles around them — a real testament to the ability and finesse these players develop.

The roots of this journey go back further still. Nigel originally helped set up wheelchair football as an afterschool club back in 1990, alongside Amir and Paul, both of whom attended Wilson Stuart School — the same school Bradley would later go on to attend for his secondary education. It’s from these beginnings that something truly special grew: a space where passion for football and the spirit of community came together through powerchair sport.

And that brings us to why this story continues — after meeting Nigel and Amir, we now turn to Paul, whose story is next.

A New Chapter: Bradley’s Journey with Paul and the Throstles

As mentioned before, both Amir and Paul attended Wilson Stuart School, where their passion for sport and inclusion was ignited. It was there that Nigel founded an afterschool wheelchair football club, creating a vital space where young people with disabilities could come together through sport. This was more than just football – it was a lifeline for many.

Bradley joined the story in September 2017. At the time, he was a part of the Villa Rockets, a team where he had formed strong bonds and found joy under the guidance of coach Amir. Leaving the Rockets wasn’t an easy decision for Bradley—he had grown attached to his teammates and coaches—but he also had a strong desire to “open his wings” and seek new challenges. That’s when he met Paul.

Paul introduced Bradley to West Bromwich Albion’s Wheelchair Football Team. Paul himself was the Disability Sports Development Officer for West Bromwich Albion at the time. Even with a full-time job, Paul never let anything hold him back from supporting his team and helping players like Bradley thrive.

Eventually, Paul moved on to a new role as the Disability Programme Co-ordinator for the Birmingham City Football Foundation. But his passion for inclusion, social impact, and breaking barriers never wavered. Both Paul and Amir continued to go above and beyond by organising social events for players across different teams, understanding the importance of connection beyond the pitch.

Their dedication inspired me deeply. Not every wheelchair user has the confidence or interest to get involved in sport. And for those who don’t, the lack of social opportunities can be incredibly isolating. That’s why Amir and Paul stand out—they’ve shown what’s possible when people refuse to let barriers define them.

This is one of the many reasons I talk about Amir’s and Paul’s journeys—because they are truly inspirational. They didn’t just play or coach; they created belonging, hope, and opportunity. But sadly, many young people still don’t have that kind of support. Especially those living with life-limiting conditions like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, who often find themselves caught between childhood and adulthood, with few places to turn to socially.

This is why I’ve created Bradley’s Promise—a community project formed in honour of Bradley’s life and the promise I made to him. Bradley had a vibrant spirit and loved life deeply, but he was often frustrated by the barriers he faced daily. I used to tell him, “We’ll find different ways of doing things to get to where you want to be.” Because we both knew life owes us nothing—but it gives us everything when we support one another.

Bradley didn’t want to die—he had so much more to give and experience. In his memory, I’ve set up this community project to serve young people aged 16–25 living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and similar conditions. These young people deserve more than isolation—they deserve community, laughter, events, and moments that others often take for granted.

As we work toward gaining our official registered charity number, I’m proud to say that Bradley’s Promise is now active—driven by love, memory, and the belief that no one should have to face life’s challenges alone

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