FOREST Green footballers have shown their heart-felt support for a 14-year-old girl with an inoperable brain tumour.

They have posed for photographs making a heart shape with their hands, like Real Madrid star Gareth Bale's trademark goal celebration, to show football-loving Rhya Story that she is in their thoughts.

The teenager, who plays for Haltwhistle under 15s girls in Northumberland and loves Manchester United, fell ill a fortnight ago and was rushed to hospital where a brain tumour was diagnosed. 

Forest Green boss Ady Pennock said: "I thought it would be good idea for my staff and team to support Rhya.

"The likes of Alan Shearer, Bristol Rovers and many more have been posing for pictures, and they have been tweeted using the hashtag #heart4rhya."

Stroud News and Journal: