Saintfield boy Jacob McIlhatton recently enjoyed a once in a lifetime opportunity to become an official mascot for a professional football team after winning a MasterCard UEFA mascot competition.
Nine year old Jacob walked onto the pitch with Leicester United star striker Shinji Okazaki at the exciting UEFA Champions League Quarter Final battle with Atletico Madrid at the King Power Stadium on Easter Tuesday.
Speaking about his great his experience, Jacob said: “The atmosphere was amazing, it was so exciting to see how the footballers feel walking out to the cheering crowd. It was brilliant seeing all the players and I got to keep the kit!”
Jacob is a keen footballer and was recently selected for IFA’s Newry & Mourne Player Development Programme for his age group and plays for East Belfast club Ridgeway Rovers.
