Ten-year-old Matthew German's birds have won 17 out of 20 events in his first season of racing and he is leading the way at his local club - beating his dad to boot. Matthew, from Parkside Road, Fallowfield, took up the sport after picking up tips from his father, William.
Matthew said: "My dad told me to go up into the loft and pick a few of his birds to race. I just picked the ones I liked the look of. But I actually picked all of my dad's best birds.
"I was really surprised when I won my first race. I don't rub it in with my dad too much that I'm winning all the time because I'm just trying to follow in his footsteps."
William, who has raced pigeons for more than 30 years, said: "He's the best at the club this season, beating everyone. Last year I won 17 out of 22 races so I've had my share of success. It's his time now. Everyone says he's taking after me, but he's well and truly taking over from me.''
Mum Julie, 46, said: "You read so much about young people going off the rails and getting in trouble so I'm so proud of him and glad that all his hobbies keep him busy. Between pigeons and football he doesn't have much time for anything else.
"I always make sure I am involved with their pigeon racing otherwise I'd be by myself all the time. But the pigeons really are like part of the family." Tweet