Aaron Pickersgill

In November 2011, Billy Sharp lined up for Doncaster against Middlesbrough just three days after losing his son Luey Jacob, who was only two days old. He hadn't trained and had hardly eaten, but he phoned Dean Saunders before the game and said he wanted to play. He wanted to score for his boy. Doncaster picked him. The whole Keepmoat Stadium stood for a minute's applause for Luey before kick-off. Then, 14 minutes in, the ball fell to Sharp and he volleyed it first time with his left foot, over Jason Steele and into the net. He pulled his shirt up straight away to reveal the message underneath. “That’s for you son.” That would usually be a yellow card. Referee Darren Deadman took one look at him and kept it in his pocket. Afterwards, Sharp thanked both sets of fans. “My goal had to be something special tonight for my special boy.” “I’m so proud of him, and his mum.” His partner Jade shared a message too. “Daddy did Luey proud tonight.” Doncaster went on to lose 3-1, but the result was the last thing anyone remembered. Even Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray knew what the night was really about. “For him to score a wonder-goal, your headlines should be there really.” “A goal from heaven.” Right call from Darren Deadman. Some moments are bigger than the rulebook.