Joseph Fenwick Grant (10) of Dobbin Lane, Trevone, had his dreams answered when he was picked to be a McDonald's Player Escort at Football's early-season showpiece the Community Shield match at Wembley between Chelsea and Manchester United recently.
Joseph (pictured centre in front of Nicolas Anelka) walked out onto the Wembley turf with his Chelsea idols after he and his Dad Ossie had been guests of McDonald's the night before at the Hilton Wembley Plaza Hotel. There was a memorable dinner and a question-and-answer session with England football legend Sir Geoff Hurst.
On the day, Joseph (himself a promising midfielder according to Ossie) got to shake hands with his hero Didier Drogba and walked out with Nicolas Anelka (note the contrast in hair styles) and also pictured is John Mikel Obi. Joseph and his Dad then watched the game from exclusive seats close to the players' tunnel. "The whole thing was great" said Joe, and for Ossie too. "It was a very emotional occasion - I was a very proud Dad when he walked out on the pitch".Joseph's Mum Lisa took a more practical approach - her family are mostly Arsenal sympathizers - "What I was really concerned about was that Ossie would remember to get Joseph to brush his hair!"
Looking at the photograph perhaps Anelka was thinking the same - or was he just jealous?.
