Huddersfield Town fan Ryan Dearnley dropped as a mascot for the FA Cup semi-final has had an international call-up – for Estonia.
Ryan, 10, of Lepton, missed out on a trip to Wembley after rival football fans took umbrage at his cheeky banter.
The football-mad youngster was due to be a mascot for Reading’s showdown with Arsenal in April.
But his trip to the national stadium was cancelled when he uttered four little words on a video clip on the Examiner’s website.
Confident Ryan introduced himself and grinned: “I hope Arsenal win!”
That was enough for an online petition by Reading fans calling for him to be axed.
Fearing a backlash for the youngster the Football Association pulled him out of the firing line and promised him the chance to be a mascot at an England game instead.
Now the FA have made good on that promise and Ryan will be a mascot at Wembley for England’s Euro 2016 qualifier on October 9 – for opponents Estonia.
Grandad Alan, 62, said while he didn’t know much about Estonia, he and Ryan were “chuffed to bits.”
Ryan will be kitted out in an Estonia blue and white strip and will lead the players out on the famous hallowed turf.
“I can understand why the FA did what they did and it has all worked out for Ryan in the end,” said Alan. “Good on the FA for delivering on their promise. Ryan is really looking forward to it.”
Ryan originally won a competition to be a semi-final mascot during Town’s FA Cup third round tie against Reading in January.
Unfortunately for him Town lost and salt was rubbed in the wounds when Reading marched on to the semis and Ryan was paired with the team that knocked his favourites out.
The FA saved Ryan from the wrath of 31,000 Reading fans and instead of going to Wembley he went to a game he really wanted to see, Town’s stunning 4-4 draw with Derby.
To cap a memorable day Town captain Mark Hudson presented him with a signed shirt.
The Estonia game is on a Friday so Ryan will – hopefully – get a day off school but he’ll have his big night without his grandad.
Alan will still be laid up after knee replacement surgery so Ryan will be accompanied by his uncle Neil and pal Charlie.
“He might be representing Estonia but Ryan will get to shake hands with all the England players,” said Alan.
“I’ve told Ryan to be on his best behaviour. We don’t want a diplomatic incident.”
ESTONIA
The country, with a population of 1.3m, is one of the Baltic states
The capital city is Tallinn
Much of the country is made up of 1,500 islands in the Baltic Sea
Main industries are food production and electronics
The Estonia soccer season has a midwinter break
The most successful club in Estonia is Flora, who have won the league nine times
