Thomas will be mascot at Wembley

The Barnsley fan who dreams of one day playing for Manchester United is set to step out onto the hallowed turf of the new Wembley stadium in from of 90,000 supporters.

Thomas, aged 10, who plays football for Ardsley Athletic, will be one of the England team mascots at their next match.

Not only will he get to meet all the England players, Thomas, from Worsbrough Dale, will also lead out the England team when they play Germany in a friendly international on Wednesday night.

It will not be the Bank End Primary pupil's first visit to the new national stadium. His soccer-mad dad Shaun took him to the first England game at Wembley against Brazil.

Thomas said: "That was brilliant, it's an amazing place but I never ever thought when I was there that I would be going back and actually walking onto the turf with the England team as a mascot - it's amazing.

"I support Barnsley and I really like Manchester United, but my favourite player is Frank Lampard and now I'm going to meet him - how great is that?

"My dad is football-mad and goes to a lot of England games.

"He's as excited as I am because he's going to see me walking onto the pitch with the team, it's like the best dream in the world has come true."

Thomas' aunt won him the chance to be a mascot when she took part in a prize draw on the Nationwide website:

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Chris Hull, from Nationwide, said: "Apart from leading the team out, Thomas will get the chance to meet the players and savour the on-pitch atmosphere at England's magnificent new stadium as the momentum builds towards the team's vital Euro 2008 qualifying matches this autumn.

"He will also have the thrill of being greeted by 90,000 supporters at Wembley as well as being seen by millions of people watching on television."