Myles Lewis-Skelly stole the show on Sunday, starring for his Arsenal side in their 5-1 thrashing of Manchester City with not just a stunning goal, but a headline-grabbing celebration to go with it.
The 18-year-old had crossed paths with Erling Haaland in the aftermath of September’s fiery 2-2 draw at the Etihad, and was even asked: ‘Who are you?’ by the Norwegian striker.
Fast-forward five months and the left back stunned City with his performance, and even hit Haaland’s iconic celebration to boot.
Lewis-Skelly was the star of the show, but his mother Marcia, revealed that the ethos of humility is one that has been crucial to her son’s career thus far.
In a clip posted on the Dose of Society TikTok channel after Sunday’s game, Marcia is asked what it’s like being the mother to a professional footballer.
Myles Lewis-Skelly starred for Arsenal against Manchester City in Sunday’s 5-1 thrashing
Lewis-Skelly had the last laugh after Erling Haaland’s jibe, hitting the City star’s own iconic celebration
Lewis-Skelly’s mother Marcia founded a group called No1Fan.club dedicating to supporting families and parents of those embarking on a youth career in football
‘Busy, but still a mother,’ she said. ‘I think if you can get the right people and the right support, like family support, then anything is possible.
‘Gratitude is important, stay humble, stay grounded as a family and keep the right people around you.’
Marcia knows perhaps better than anyone the importance of a support network, given she founded the No1Fan.club, a support and education network for parents of children in both men’s and women’s academies.
‘Get the support you need and we do that, we have a platform to support parents who are navigating youth football,’ she continued in the video, which has been seen by over 6 million people.
Marcia’s is an inspiring story of a parent who realised that the world of youth football ‘can be confusing for parents’, by her own admission on the No1Fan.club website.
She described the measures that she took to educate herself and put herself in a position where she could support Lewis-Skelly, including earning a Masters degree and FIFA agent’s licence.
‘When my son showed serious potential on the pitch, I quickly realised that the world of youth football can be confusing for parents. When he was just 11, football agents started calling,’ she writes on their website.
‘By 12, brands wanted to discuss boot deals, and at 14, he was offered an early scholarship at his academy. At various points, I felt unprepared to make decisions that could impact his future. There was no trusted advice, no network to consult, and no family connections in the football industry.
Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri have both excelled for the Arsenal senior side this season
‘To learn more, I attended seminars, earned an MSc in Football Business, and got my FIFA agent licence (for my own education, not to represent players!).
‘Through my experiences from grassroots to academy, I met other parents facing similar challenges. I realised that if I was struggling, many others must be too.
‘There are many people and organisations involved, each with their own agendas, and clear advice for parents is hard to find. We founded No1Fan.club to give families the knowledge and support they need throughout this journey.’
Lewis-Skelly’s rise has been startling in his first season as a senior player at Arsenal, having played just 10 games in the Premier League so far.
So impressive have his performances been that he is even in line for and England call-up under new boss Thomas Tuchel.
