 IT
WAS the proudest night in the Kitching family history — when soccer
crazy youngster William trotted out with the legendary Becks to become
England's official mascot.
 With
his family watching on throughtears of pride
and joy, seven-year-old William, wearing a mini England strip, placed
his hand in David Beckham's. Then for his mum and dad, Manchester
United's historic Old Trafford ground lived up to its name as the
Theatre of Dreams as the pair led out the England heroes for Wednesday's
Euro 2004 qualifier with Liechtenstein.
It
was a night of magic for proud dad Gary, a die-hard England fan who has
spent £20,000 over the last two and a half years travelling to home and
away England games with William—who claims to be the team's most
travelled young fan.
Watched by a crowd of 64,000 and millions of television viewers, William
marched out to the centre circle where he shook hands with England's
super soccer hero, Sir Bobby Charlton.
And as dad and son celebrated England's 2-0 win
afterwards, Gary said: "My family has a long and proud history of being
involved with football and following England, but this was the biggest
honour that has ever been bestowed on our family. I cannot put into
words what it meant to me.
"When the FA rang to say William had been chosen to be the mascot, I was
so emotional I could not speak. "It is something each one of us will
cherish for the rest of our lives. William still cannot believe what has
happened. It was a fairy tale come true."
Said William, who still coming to terms with his
night of glory: "It was like I was in a dream. I can't believe it really
happened. "I will always be the envy of my pals now. It was the greatest
night of my life and I will remember it forever."
William, his dad and mum Liane (38), were given red carpet treatment at
the ground, and William met the players in the changing rooms before the
kick-off.
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