A young Wrexham supporter has been chosen as a mascot for Manchester City's Emirates FA Cup final clash against Manchester United.
Mia Matthews, 10, has already seen the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney owned fifth tier club return to the Football League after a 15 year absence. It has been a joyous moment in a tough year which saw her grandfather die following a long illness.
And FA Cup sponsors Emirates decided to surprise Mia with the news that herself and friend Amelia Lewis will be walking out with the players at Wembley on Saturday, June 3. The youngster discovered she would be going to the final after being invited to the Racecourse Ground by Emirates. Her favourite player, Aaron Hayden, then surprised her pitchside to reveal the exciting experience.
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Speaking after discovering she had been chosen, Mia said: "I am very excited, I can’t believe it is happening. I am so honoured and thankful.
"I was so happy to meet Aaron, he is my favourite player and I have wanted to meet him for a long time. It was even more special for him to tell me I was going to be a mascot at the Emirates FA Cup final, I was close to tears and so excited I couldn’t sleep."
Mia's mum Sian added: "Mia’s grandad had been unwell for some time, but it has been sad not to share football memories with him this season. He loved football so much and he would be so excited for Mia to be a mascot. I still can't believe Mia will be a mascot at Wembley, it is going to be a once in a lifetime experience for her that she will remember for a long time."
The FA Cup final was handed some unwanted news on Thursday after it was announced train strikes would be occurring on Saturday, June 3 preventing fans from travelling by rail to Wembley. But, for Mia, her focus is fully on the day itself where she hopes to walk out with one of her other favourite players, City star Jack Grealish.
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