Cambridgeshire girl meets footballing heroes

adrian.peel@iliffemedia.co.uk

Published: 18:30, 08 April 2018

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain walks out onto the pitch with his player mascot, Phoebe Rose, before kick off at Wembley. Picture: Eddie Keogh for the FA

A young Cottenham footballer had a day out to remember at Wembley when she lined up with the England team as a mascot ahead of their recent friendly against Italy

The England players line up to sing the national anthem before kick-off ahead of the England v Italy International football match at Wembley. Picture: Eddie Keogh for the FA

On Tuesday, March 27, Phoebe Rose, 10, walked onto the pitch at the home of football with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain which, as a Liverpool fan, made her very happy.

Phoebe’s proud father, Simon, said: “Myself and a colleague, David Burkett, do a lot of work for girls’ football, and through that we get sent competitions to enter.

“So David had entered one on behalf of my daughter and was lucky enough to win it.”

Simon continued: “It was her first trip to Wembley, so I think that was quite exciting for her anyway.

Team photo before the England v Italy football match at Wembley Stadium. Picture: Jed Leicester for the FA

“They get a tour behind the scenes and get given a free England kit. They change into them and then go into the stadium and sit where the players sit.

“The players come out and do their warm-up and they were high-fiving them.

“Gareth Southgate [the England manager] spent time just chatting to all the mascots.”

Football Human Interest Adrian Peel