Norwich City Academy were joined by Charlie Fogarty MBE for an inspirational talk over Zoom throughout the week.
Charlie Fogarty was an academy player for Birmingham City until he was involved in a road traffic accident which saw him struck by a car in 2012. He was hospitalized with severe head injuries and was placed in an induced coma for four months, before spending another lengthy period in recovery.
Learning how to both walk and talk again; Fogarty worked hard to take back his independent life to the present day where he tells his incredible story and represents Northern Ireland’s cerebral palsy football team.
In his presentation, Fogarty discussed both his personal life and his years in academy football, relating his time as a player to the young canaries in the online conference. Discussing what came next for him after his accident and going without football for such a long time, Fogarty went on to tell the players what routes he took to earn honours such as his MBE.
As with all talks, Fogarty then made time at the end for the players to quiz him with their questions on his challenges and story.
Speaking after the session, FP and YDP Player Care Manager Carys Dalton said: “It has been a pleasure to invite Charlie to talk to the players at the Academy about his story.
“Charlie was in an accident that completely changed his life, and he spoke very openly to the boys about how it’s changed, and the incredible things he has achieved since the accident.
“Charlie’s story truly is inspirational, he talked to the boys about the importance of having hope, self-belief and determination, because with that, anything is possible.
“Charlie should be really proud of all the fantastic work he has done, and I am so pleased that our players and parents were able to hear his story too.
“The players, especially some of the younger lads, had some brilliant questions at the end and I hope that they all took the key message away from the talk, to never give up.”
