Wales date for young football fan! (From Penarth Times)

Wales date for young football fan!

4:40pm Friday 14th September 2012 in News

YOUNG local lad Deiniol Williams had a once-in-a-lifetime treat - when he was a player escort for Wales against Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium on Friday night.

In last week's Penarth Times we told you how the nine-year-old football fan was set to walk out alongside the Wales team for their first World Cup qualifier - and it proved to be an experience he will never forget.

The youngster walked out with Steve Morison before heading to the stands to watch the game with his family.

Deiniol plays his football for Dinas Powys Wolves U10s on a Saturday morning, and is also part of the Sully-based Mike Fowler Elite Squad for his age group.

"I was very nervous but loved every minute!" he said.

"It was so loud when we came out - I hope all my friends saw me on TV."

Despite a great team performance, Wales lost 2-0 thanks to goals from Belgian stars Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen.

Deiniol won the chance to walk out alongside his football heroes after entering a national competition on the McDonald's Kickstart website.

Ian Rush, MBE and McDonald's Director of Welsh Football, said: "The atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic and I'm sure the player escorts walking out onto the pitch will never forget this experience."

For information on McDonald's involvement in grassroots football and to find out how you could become a McDonald's Player Escort, apply for club grants or win a visit from a football ambassador, visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/kickstart