A YOUNG boy's dream to walk in the footsteps of his favourite football team will is to be a reality this weekend.

Louis Read, 8, has been invited to the Southampton vs Tottenham Hotspur game to take part in a mascot experience for their game at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday April 25, after he was selected from the Barclays competition #youarefootball.

The competition allows Barclays UK customers to win experience days and tickets to their premier league matches.

Duties of being the team mascot for the day include meeting the team and go behind the scenes for photos and autographs as well as having a kick about on the pitch before the official kick off, he will then have his photo taken in the centre circle with the players and then be shown to his seat to watch the game.

Louis’ mother, Joleyne Read, entered him into the competition around mid March and said that she was informed a week later that Louis had won the chance to take part in a team mascot experience.

She said: “I don’t think he believed me really, I think it’s still sinking in now.

“I think he’ll love it, absolutely.”

Louis, a pupil at St Nicholas and St Laurence C of E Primary School in Broadwey is an avid football fan, and has played for a couple of years for Redlands FC in their under seven and under eight teams. He has also been picked to play as part of the school team.

When asked about the experience he said he was most looking forward to getting the player’s autographs, especially that of his favourite player Dusan Tadic.

“It’s going to be a great experience.” He said.

Louis, who usually plays up front on the field said he thinks that the score on Saturday is going to be three, two to Southampton.

His coach Tim Davis said that this would be an experience Louis would remember for the rest of his life.

“It’s tremendous news, I have known Louis two years and he plays for my club.

“He’s tremendously talented and his personality is great and he wants to learn so we can’t ask any more.

“I think he’ll have the time of his life.”

His mother said that Louis and his long-term friend Sonny Down spent many a day kicking a football about and that he previously won a mascot opportunity with Chelsea.

She added that it was nice to see her son so enthusiastic and passionate about something that gets him out and about with his friends.