Michael Flatman who will be the Liverpool FC mascot on Saturday Picture Ref: 76949-48SOCCER fan Michael Flatman is to live out a dream this weekend when he acts as mascot on the pitch with his Premiership football heroes.

Michael, 10, who lives in Swindon town centre with, mum Jeanette, dad, Joe and two sisters Rebecca and Katherine will take to the pitch at Anfield this Saturday as Liverpool FC's official mascot.

He will march on with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Morientes and Milan Baros for the match against Tottenham Hotspur. He won the chance after entering a magazine competition sponsored by Reebok.

Michael said his friends were very jealous.

He said: "I signed for the competition a year ago but I never thought I would win and then one day we got a phone call. I am really excited. My friends keep asking me if I can get them autographs. I'm really excited about getting on the pitch with the players and seeing all the fans cheering. It's going to be a great day."

Dad Joe, was equally excited about seeing Michael on his big day.

He said: "For any boy who loves football. This has got to be a dream come true. He probably won't ever get a chance like this again. It will be something he will be able to tell his friends and even his children. We are really happy for him.

"I didn't even know he had applied. It was a year ago and then we suddenly heard about his prize just a few days before the match.

"Michael loves football and hasn't completely made up his mind who his favourite team are. He just loves everything about the game."

Mr Flatman also said it had been a week of good news in the household, with Michael winning the competition and Mr Flatman being offered a new job after being off work for some time with a medical condition.

Anthony Osborne