Like father, like son in the Williams household as 8-year-old Jobie steps out for Stourbridge Football Club’s under 9s team wearing the same number shirt his dad did throughout his local soccer career.

But sadly dad Adam has never seen Jobie play - he died from Motor Neurone disease four years ago after a five year battle against the ‘horrible’ disease.

Adam would have been immensely proud. Instead it is Jobie’s mum Kelly and Adam’s mother and partner who cheer him on with pride each game as Jobie follows in his father’s footsteps.

Adam, a web designer and photographer, was well known in local soccer circles, having played for many clubs in the area over the years.

He played for the Corn Exchange, Black Horse and Tenth Lock among others, but his two main teams were the Dock and Iron and, finally, White Horse Celtic.

“He loved his football, was a big Villa fan, and loved playing for White Horse Celtic. He even sponsored them,” said Kelly.

Throughout his playing days Adam always wore the No 11 jersey. Indeed he was known among friends as Aida11.

Adam had settled down with wife Kelly, a model, in their Burns Close home with Adam’s daughter Libbie when he suddenly started to feel tired and was getting odd muscle movements.

He was initially diagnosed with a trapped nerve in his neck, but when he saw a neurologist he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease. It was 2011. He was 37 and the doctors gave him three to five years to live.

Kelly gave up her career to look after Adam and then fell pregnant with twins Mylie and Jobie. She faced hard times looking after two young children and watching Adam, a fit man who used to work out at the gym, deteriorate because of the ‘horrendous’ disease.

“He really suffered,” said Kelly. “The children brought him lots of joy, he adored them, but he never really got to hold the twins.”

Adam died a few days before his 42nd birthday, when Jobie and Mylie were three.

But Adam’s love of football – and the Villa - has passed down to Jobie, who used to play for Wordsley Wasps until his talent was spotted in a kick about after a match at a Stourbridge home game.

Jobie’s ‘granddad’ Steve Robinson takes him regularly and after being noticed by someone from the club he has now joined the Stourbridge Under 9s.

Of course Kelly’s first act was to ask if Jobie could wear the No 11 jersey, and the club immediately agreed.

“It’s a very proud moment for Jobie. He wears the No 11 jersey with pride.”

It’s a fitting memorial to Adam and his soccer-mad family.

Jobie is named after Adam’s grandfather, himself a keen footballer, and hanging proudly on Jobie’s bedroom wall in the family’s home in Lowndes Road is a framed picture of dad Adam and the No 11 jersey, presented to the family by the White Horse Celtic club in memory of their former player.