Louie is back on the pitch doing what he loves most (Image: Stroke Association)
An eight year-old told he would never walk again last year after suffering a stroke playing football has defied the odds to return back to the pitch. Manchester United fan Louie Clark was only on 24th February 2025 and enjoying an afternoon scoring goals at a football-themed attraction in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, when he complained about feeling dizzy and sick.
Moments later, he vomited, became drowsy and struggled to speak – he was rushed to hospital where a scan confirmed he had suffered an ischaemic stroke caused by a tear of his neck artery. By morning, he was transferred to Leeds Children’s Hospital and underwent life-saving thrombectomy surgery, then spent over 75 days having round-the-clock treatment and therapy.
Louie after his stroke in hospital (Image: Stroke Association)
But as a special Stroke Association video shared with the Express shows, Louie’s amazed doctors as – despite initially being told he may never kick a ball again – he now plays with two pan-disability football groups.
In 2023 your Express launched our ‘Let Stroke Patients Thrive’ campaign, for better aftercare and access to the miracle procedure thrombectomy which can speedily remove the clot and reduce the need for rehabilitation.
Dad Ben, 38, of Knottingley, West Yorkshire, told us: “It really is amazing how far he has come.
“He’s outperformed all expectations for his recovery. I tell him all the time ‘You’ve performed a miracle Louie’.
“When he was lying on that hospital bed, I could never have imagined we’d get to where we are now. He may never play football professionally, but we keep going with new goals, new dreams.
“Although, you never know, at this point I wouldn’t put anything past him! Louie’s strong-willed, brave, and he never gives up. He’s our miracle boy.”
When energetic, talented footballer Louie ran out to play with a family friend on a February 2025 afternoon, no-one could have imagined how that day would change everything.
“He was fantastic at the target practices,” says his dad, Ben. “Louie was a very talented footballer.”
But after an afternoon of kicking goals at Yard Ball in Sheffield, Louie suddenly told his dad’s friend that he felt dizzy and sick. Moments later, he vomited and became drowsy.
When the car pulled up at the family home, Ben knew instantly that something was seriously wrong.
Louie in hospital after his stroke, with his dad Ben (Image: Stroke Association)
“Louie couldn’t speak much when he asked me to carry him out of the car,” Ben recalls. “He couldn’t control any of his body and couldn’t even hold his head up without being sick.”
The 999 operator warned it could be up to three hours before an ambulance could arrive so Ben and Louie’s mum Lyndsey, 36, drove to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, themselves.
Ardagh Glass Packaging worker Ben added: “Before his scans, they thought it might be some sort of blood infection, maybe sepsis.”
But at Pinderfields doctors confirmed that Louie had had an ischaemic stroke and through the night his condition worsened until morning when he was transferred to Leeds Children’s Hospital for the thrombectomy.
Clot-busting thrombectomy – which can greatly reduce the chances of a stroke survivor being left with a disability – is currently reaching less than half of all eligible patients.
Louie spent over 75 days in intensive care and on the hospital’s specialist paediatric neuroscience ward, receiving round-the-clock treatment and therapy.
Ben recalled: “Louie couldn’t walk, talk, swallow or even see straight at first.
“But on day four or five, Louie lifted his middle finger up to his little brother and I didn’t care that he was swearing! I saw that as a major step in the right direction.”
Louie having physio in hospital (Image: Stroke Association)
Louie’s recovery has been long and full of challenges. “It’s very difficult living with a stroke survivor,” Ben admits.
“The brain damage is always there. Louie’s lost all sense of control in his emotions and sense of danger. He’s very impulsive and doesn’t always think before doing something.”
Ben says Louie also struggles with fear and anxiety, particularly at night: “He’s incredibly afraid of the dark and has nightmares four or five times a week.
“He sometimes believes he’s seeing things under his bed. His imagination runs wild.”
Fatigue and weakness still affect him daily, particularly on his left side: “He doesn’t always realise when he’s tired, and that makes it hard to explain when he needs to take a break.”
Louie’s mum Lindsey left work to care for him full-time, while Ben continues to support the family and their four boys.
Ben added: “We’re just a normal family. We had two full-time jobs before Louie’s stroke. Now life revolves around helping him recover.
“I’d like people to understand that strokes do happen to younger people, it’s not an ‘old person thing’. A stroke is life-changing, not a short-term injury. Louie might look fine, but he’s far from alright.”
Now he’s back playing again just over a year later (Image: Stroke Association)
Louie’s determination continues to shine. In Summer 2025, he marked a recovery milestone by kicking off a fundraising football match organised to raise funds to help the family with the cost of physiotherapy.
Ben said: “The charity match was emotional. We all lined up as a guard of honour for Louie, so he could walk through the middle to show how far he’d come.
“I was so nervous for him. I never questioned his ability to get better but I questioned the severity of his stroke and how much he could get better.
“He placed the ball in the middle of the pitch and kicked off the game by passing the ball to me. I was so proud of him. We found having goals super important. It motivated Louie to reach the first milestone of passing the ball.
“After the charity match we set a new one – one no-one originally thought would be possible – and Louie now plays football with two pan-disability groups. It really is amazing.”
The Stroke Association is the leading charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. For more information about stroke and support available, visit www.stroke.org.uk
Louie with dad Ben and mum Lindsey (Image: Stroke Association)
Juliet Bouverie OBE, CEO of the Stroke Association, said: “Stroke can happen at any age, including in babies, children and teenagers.
“Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the UK, and when it happens in childhood, it can have a lifelong impact on the child and their loved ones.
“Early diagnosis and access to specialist stroke care are vital. Louie received a life-saving thrombectomy, a highly effective treatment for stroke patients, with the potential to significantly reduce disability.
“For those who could benefit from it, getting access to this treatment quickly can give stroke survivors the chance to make a good recovery.
“With the right rehabilitation, support for families, and planning for school and beyond, children can be supported to live happy and fulfilling lives after stroke.
“That’s why we’ve created this powerful new film with Louie, to highlight the devastation stroke can cause, and to show that with strength and determination too, recovery is possible.
“Louie’s courage is truly inspirational and it’s wonderful to see that he has been able to return to the hobby he loves.”
* To watch Louie’s eight-minute video visit https://www.youtube.com/
