A young football fan from Huntingdon has netted a dream birthday treat after being selected as a mascot for England’s match against Chile this week.

Arbaaz Mir, who turned 11 yesterday (Tuesday), will be the envy of his classmates when he accompanies the players onto the pitch at Wembley Stadium on Friday.

The Thongsley Fields Primary School pupil was picked after impressing during Sports Connection Foundation coaching sessions this summer.

Liverpool fan Arbaaz, who has never been to a professional football match, said he was most looking forward to walking onto the pitch. And if he is really lucky, it could be with his favourite player, England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Junior McDougald, of the Sports Connection Foundation, who grew up in Huntingdon and played for Tottenham and Brighton among others, said Arbaaz was chosen for the role by coaches and fellow youngsters at the football camp.

“He had every good quality you would want to see in a child,” he said. “It wasn’t just about how well he did playing, it was holding doors, picking people up, his manners. It was also about how they behaved at school.”

Arbaaz will receive VIP treatment, including getting picked up and driven to Wembley.

Mr McDougald said the foundation was all about raising aspirations and giving youngsters opportunities they would not ordinarily have had.