Tom, 7, leads out Man City

Published on 18/11/2010 16:21

YOUNG Pocklinton Town footballer Tim Hollands had a birthday to remember when he was mascot for the world’s richest football club, Manchester City.

This was much more than Tom, seven, expected, asking for tickets to see them play was all he wanted. His mum Sarah said: “Tom is a huge Manchester City fan and instead of having a birthday party Tom asked if he could go and watch a City game.

“Instead of having 12 screaming children at home, we decided to book tickets to the match so they could sit calmly and listen to 44,000 fans chanting instead.”

Tickets were booked for the Manchester City v Birmingham City match last Saturday. His mum added: “While surfing the club’s website I read about a competition which gave you a chance to be a player escort for the match. We entered, and out of hundreds of entrants Tom was the lucky winner.”

Prior to the match Tom entered the stadium through the players’ entrance with all the fans and photographers eagerly waiting for a glimpse of their favourite player.

He was given a tour of the stadium, had a seat in the manager’s hot seat, gave a mock press conference and had a go at a post match interview.

Tom was given a shirt and asked to change into his kit and was led out onto the pitch by the two mascots Moonchester and Moonbeam for photos and high fives from the Manchester City squad and manager.

Photo call finished, music blaring, fans cheering, just minutes until the match started, Tom made his way to the tunnel.

Tom lined up with England keeper Joe Hart and was given the match ball to hold. Time to go, Tom lead Hart out onto the pitch to the sound of the cheering fans, shook hands with all the Birmingham players and match officials, then took the ball over towards the goal and allowed Hart one last practice at saving before the match officially began.

The England keeper just managed to get his finger tips to the ball, but couldn’t stop it crossing the line for a goal.

Tom is a keen player and plays for Pocklington Town’s junior side. He is hoping that if he keeps turning up for training, working hard and playing matches on Sunday, he may just get to score another goal at Manchester City sometime in the future.

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Tom, 7, leads out Man City

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