A FOOTBALL-mad youngster was in for a big birthday surprise, with messages recorded by Harry Redknapp and some of his favourite Plymouth Argyle players.

Ellis Karn had been due to celebrate his 10th birthday by walking out at Home Park as a mascot during Plymouth Argyle’s game against Port Vale on April 25. But, like all other fixtures, that game was cancelled due to coronavirus, along with the party Ellis’ parents had planned for their son and his friends.

Less than a month ago, Ellis and his family, who live in Dobwalls, had lost many of their belongings, including the children’s outdoor toys, in a fire that gutted their garage.

As the birthday drew near, Ellis’ mum Tracey began to wonder how she could make up for the disappointment of all the cancellations.

She knew that a birthday message from some of the Argyle team would make her son’s day – and with a little help from The Cornish Times, she was able to get in touch with the club.

Press officer Dan Cole and player liaison officer Ellen Shine were happy to help, and members of the team were delighted to record greetings from their living rooms and back gardens!

Having received video messages from three of the Pilgrims players, and with two more on the way, Tracey thought she would pop a message to Harry Redknapp on social media.

She asked if he would be kind enough to record a greeting for Ellis, not really expecting that the former Premier League manager and TV personality would get back to her request.

But he did, saying: ‘Harry Redknapp, wishing you a very Happy Birthday. I know it’s difficult in these times to enjoy it as much as you’d like to.’

Ellis, who attends Dobwalls Primary School and plays for Bodmin United Under-10s, is a midfield player, just like Harry when he started out for Tottenham Hotspur’s youth team.

Among the Argyle players to get in touch was Dom Telford, who said: ’Hope you have a great day mate – hopefully we can celebrate it a bit better when we get this all over and done with and get promoted.’

Tracey said: ’Ellis is mad on football and he started playing when he was around four.

’He said that he’s had the best birthday ever and he certainly made the most of it, even though we are in lockdown. All the messages made him overcome with emotion initially. He was shocked – and really happy.’