A football mad Aston Villa fan whose father entered him into a competition to be a league final mascot has walked out onto the famous Wembley turf with former England captain John Terry – while Prince William watched on from the stands.
Nine-year-old Haydn Farnell, a lifelong Villa fan, was filmed by his father after being told he would walk hand-in-hand out of the famous stadium tunnel, with captain Terry for the Championship playoff final against Fulham FC on Saturday.
And today, in front of 70,000 fans at Wembley, Haydn shook the opposition players’ hands alongside his hero Terry.
A football mad Aston Villa fan whose father entered him into a competition to be a playoff league final mascot has walked out onto the famous Wembley turf with former England captain John Terry
In front of 70,000 fans at Wembley, Haydn shook the opposition players’ hands alongside his hero Terry
Haydn Farnell, a lifelong Aston Villa fan, was filmed by his father after being told he would walk hand-in-hand out of the famous stadium tunnel, with captain Terry for the Championship playoff final against Fulham FC on Saturday
Some 70,000 fans watched Fulham beat Aston Villa 1-0 to secure a Premier League place next season
Sat in their living room in Bromsgrove, Birmingham, Haydn’s father Andrew films himself walking in and coyly asking his son: ‘How do you fancy walking out with the Villa players?’
Enjoying the confused look on his son’s face, Andrew continues: ‘And in particular with the captain.’
Villa mad nine-year-old Haydn shoots back: ‘John Terry?’
Still confused Andrew says: Fancy doing it? Because I entered you in a competition – and you won!’
A look of joy and surprise shoots across the schoolboy’s face as his mother Toni-Anne, 36, laughs in the background.
Sat in their living room in Bromsgrove, Birmingham, Haydn’s father Andrew films himself walking in and coyly asking his son: ‘How do you fancy walking out with the Villa players?’
Speaking to Worcester News, Toni-Anne said: ‘My husband Andrew saw a competition that Villa had organised on Twitter and used his points to enter.
Delighted father Andrew shared the clip on to social media for thousands to share and retweets
‘Thousands of people entered, so when it came back that we had won, we just couldn’t believe it. What are the chances?
‘Haydn and his dad are both season ticket holders so it’s a dream come true for both of them.
‘We’ve got a very excited little boy.’
Hilariously, even though his proud father has revealed the good news, it still doesn’t quite sink in for young Haydn, who has to be told again and again about his win.
Even mother Toni-Anne gets in on the act and says: ‘You will be walking hand in hand with John Terry onto the pitch at Wembley for the final.’
Delighted father Andrew shared the clip on to social media for thousands to share and retweets.