With a dad who captains the England national football team, it's no wonder that Wayne and Coleen Rooney's sons are growing up with a passion for the sport. But out of her two boys, Coleen has said that it's her youngest Klay who is more "football mad".
The two-year-old has been attached to the sport from early on – just like his Manchester United striker father.
"Since Klay could stand up against the chair he was kicking a ball," Coleen told HELLO! Online. "Wayne's always questioned his mum because she's said, 'You were kicking a ball since you could walk and I just knew that you loved it' and Wayne's always thought she was exaggerating."
© Photo: Getty ImagesTwo-year-old Klay is the "football mad" one, said mum Coleen Rooney
"But when she came along to the England games and Klay had the ball and he wouldn't let go of it, Wayne's mum said 'That's just what you were like as a kid' so he believes her now."
Klay's older brother Kai, five, has been getting into the sport more, ever since he was chosen to be a mascot at his dad's 100th England cap last year.
"Kai was so excited," said Coleen. "He was telling his friends and when he went into school on the Monday, they were all saying, 'We saw you on TV'. It doesn't really register with him that Wayne is known worldwide and that he plays for one of the biggest football teams in the world. He's still naive about it which is nice."
© Photo: Getty Images"Kai was so excited about being a mascot," said Coleen Rooney of her eldest son
The glamorous mum added: "It's too early to say if they'd ever be professional. But one thing we've always said as parents is that we'd never push them. Obviously we'd support them if that's what they wanted to do but we'd never put pressure on them."
When Wayne, 29, is out on the pitch, he can count on his family cheering him on from the stands. "He likes knowing that we're there to support him," said Coleen. "I took the kids to the World Cup in Brazil last year and obviously England didn't do as well as they would have liked to, but it was the experience of being there.
"I would not like my kids to grow up and say, 'Mum why didn't you take me to watch dad in the World Cup?' That was my thought throughout. Even though they've had that experience and they probably won't remember it, at least they've got the photographs and hopefully they'll get to go to the next one."
© Photo: Getty Images"Wayne likes knowing that we're there to support him," said the striker's wife
It's devoted mum Coleen who takes her oldest son Kai to his football training sessions twice a week after school, if Wayne is off playing a match at home or abroad. It was her role as a "football mum" that inspired her to get involved with the first ever Football Mum of the Year Awards.
The awards recognise dedicated mums around the country who put in countless hours to make sure their kids can play football – something that both Coleen and Wayne's mothers are familiar with.
© Photo: Getty ImagesColeen Rooney often steps in and takes her son to football practice when Wayne can't
Coleen grew up with two brothers playing the sport, while Wayne was also one of three siblings who were rushed off to coaching sessions.
"I know how my mum used to have to make sure the kit was washed and ready and they got to places on time," said Coleen. "Wayne's mum had to take him to a lot of the football matches in his younger days and she couldn't drive so she'd take him on two or three buses in the winter – it was all her hard work.
"You think if his mum had never done that for him, would he be where he is today? It made me think women and mums aren't recognised in football as much as the dads are, so I think these awards are a great idea."
Coleen Rooney is launching the first ever Football Mum of the Year Awards this year
Coleen is launching the search for McDonald's Football Mum of the Year and will present the winner with their trophy on Sunday 2 August at Wembley Stadium. The award will recognise hard-working, regular "football mums" across the UK. Nominations for the awards are now open at www.mcdonalds.co.uk/mumoftheyear.
