BEXLEYHEATH: Man U fan gets the dream draw at the World Cup (From News Shopper)

BEXLEYHEATH: Man U fan gets the dream draw at the World Cup

6:50pm Thursday 24th June 2010 in Football

IT was the experience of a lifetime for one young football fan who won a competition to be a team mascot for England at its opening World Cup match.

Niamh Murphy, 10, of Barrington Road, Bexleyheath, flew out to South Africa for four days with her dad David, 38, organised by The Sun newspaper.

Niamh, a big Manchester United fan, walked out onto the pitch before the match against the USA in Rustenburg, holding hands with Man U and England star striker, Wayne Rooney, while her father watched from the stands.

Mum Margherita said: “It was pure chance she was paired with Wayne Rooney.

“Her younger sisters Caitlin and Ciara couldn’t believe it when they saw her on television.”

The pair, who stayed in Johannesburg, also had time to visit an old gold mine and a lion and rhino reserve.

Her school, Barrington Primary School, was following Niamh’s adventures and says England could not have chosen a better mascot.