A lifelong Manchester United fan from Welney lived his dream by leading Red Devils and England captain Wayne Rooney onto the pitch for his side’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Everton last weekend.
11-year-old Harvey Hopkin was selected by the Manchester United Foundation to be a player escort for the tie at Wembley on Saturday April 23, and walked out onto the London stadium’s hallowed turn in front of almost 90,000 spectators.
The Townley Primary School pupil, who suffers from renal failure, adrenal insufficiency and growth hormone insufficiency, knew nothing about the trip as his mother, Karen, had kept it a secret until the big day.
She said: “I handed Harvey two envelopes; one containing tickets to the match and one containing a letter saying he had been selected as a player escort.
“He was thrilled and very proud to be representing his team on such an important day.”
Harvey and his Mum travelled to London by train, before the youngster posed for photographs outside the iconic national stadium.
He then was taken inside the ground, and led England’s highest goal scorer out onto the pitch before the match, which Manchester United won 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Frenchman Antony Martial.
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