A YOUNG football fan from Priestwood had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when he stepped in as a mascot ahead of a UEFA Champions League match.

Eight-year-old Harrison Banks, a pupil at Meadow Vale Primary School, saved the day when he stepped in at Arsenal's game against FC Basel on Thursday, September 26.

Harrison, was at the match with his father Ryan Hodges, when the pair were approached and asked if Harrison would be happy to dress as a mascot to accompany his team out against the Swiss side.

Ryan said: "We got to the Emirates Stadium a bit early and we were literally just going into the football shop when two people came up, in the club's gear, and explained they were from Arsenal Mastercard and took care of the club's mascots.

"My first thought was that they were trying to sign up us for a card but then they explained one of the mascots had dropped out at the last minute.

"They said because it was a weekday there were fewer children in the crowd and that they had spotted Harrison and he was about the right size and height for the costume.

"They asked me if they thought he would do it and I had to fill out a waiver form and sign him over to Arsenal! It was literally right place at the right time.

"They said they had never had to just find someone in the crowd before as they normally have such a long waiting list."

He added Harrison was taken into a dressing room alongside the 22 other mascots where they were given a talk on the club's history and met the players, before doing a brief rehearsal.

Ryan said: "The first time we went to the football Harrison was more interested in the pizza he got at half-time then the game! I normally take my brother-in-law to week games but this time Harrison came.

"He has been quite blasé about it but since the game he's got more interested in football. His 13-year-old brother Rio is footie mad so is extremely jealous!

"I was proud that he went out with the team in front of 60,000 people and the TV cameras but I was even more proud that he did it as he is normally very shy."