Teams unite in applause for Ullapool footballer Stefan
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Players, coaches and supporters applauded in unison at an under–18 match in Ullapool as teenage footballer Stefan Mauger stepped forward to score a penalty kick for his team.
Stefan, a highly regarded young player, has been undergoing treatment for the past two years while he battles cancer.
Ullapool Football Club coach David Crook said: "Stefan was our captain and probably our best, most consistent player prior to his diagnosis in February 2020.
"He has never once complained. He finished his last chemotherapy treatments in February and is just now becoming able to play more than a couple of minutes at a time. He is still only able to play about twenty minutes or so before getting tired."
Stefan's teammates showed solidarity with their teammate during his treatment by shaving their heads.
"Our boys shaved their heads back when he started losing his hair and raised about £10,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. All the money was raised from the head shaving of our full squad, coaches and some of our supporters too.
"We initially wanted to give the money to Stefan's family as his parents both had to give up work for about ten months, and then again for the second round of treatment, but they wouldn't accept it and asked for it to go to the charity."
It was an emotional afternoon for both sets of players who were united in their appreciation for Stefan as he fired home a penalty kick to round off a 5–1 win for his team against Easter Ross rivals St Duthus of Tain.
Mr Crook added: "It was great to see the lads mixing after the game, and from our point of view, it was nice for Stefan to score the penalty. It was a great moment for him and his teammates, and for the St Duthus boys, many of whom will have known him since the days of Soccer Sixes at primary school. Everyone was willing him to score."
