A former “teenage tearaway” told of her pride today after being chosen to hand the Premier League trophy to Chelsea on Sunday.
Instead of league chief executive Richard Scudamore or one of his colleagues doing the honours, 23-year-old Rachel Key will take to the pitch to present the cup to captain John Terry.
It is part of an initiative by league sponsors Barclays who have been working with all 20 Premier League clubs to unearth people who champion the true “spirit of the game” for the work they do for their club and local community.
Chelsea legend and World Cup winner, Marcel Desailly, surprised her with the trophy presentation news at her home this week.
Rachel, who comes from a family of avid blues fans - and whose middle name is Chelsea in honour of the team - said: “I thought it was some kind of wind-up...It’s just unbelievable.
“If Chelsea weren’t the champions I’m not sure I could do it. I would break my heart to give the trophy to someone else.
“I just hope I don’t drop it or do anything stupid.”
Rachel, from West Kensington, was selected after managing to turn her life as a troubled teenager around.
She said: “When I was younger I got into trouble...I was hanging round with the wrong crowd. My dad sent me away to Ireland to live with my mum. That was a reality check, and when I came back I decided to change my ways.
“I’ve been arrested but never charged. If I had been convicted then the things I want to do like working with children would be impossible because of the enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks. It would have completely ruined my life.”
Rachel, who is now a football coach with pre-school football academy Little Kickers, said “I realised I wanted a career, not a job. And I knew I had to get my head down and stop doing certain things.
“I’m really happy I’ve not taken the wrong path, because it is so easy for kids to do that and get into trouble when there is not a lot for them in their communities.”
Desailly said: “I love meeting fans like Rachel. She is so passionate about Chelsea and to see the look on her face when she heard what she was going to do was fantastic. I’m excited for her, and hope she can enjoy the lead up to the day and the big moment itself. It’s going to be a very special day for her.”
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Nathan Homer, head of global sponsorship at Barclays, said “Rachel really deserves her opportunity and it’s great that we are able to reward a genuine fan of the club.
“Football has an amazingly strong community around it and we will continue to use our sponsorship to celebrate and reward those who champion the true spirit of the game – we hope Rachel’s experience will motivate other young people too.”
