A FAN who has followed Huddersfield Town since he was three-years-old will lead his heroes onto the pitch for Monday's crucial promotion play-off.
Gareth Norcliffe, 12, of Meltham, has been chosen as the mascot for Huddersfield's clash with Mansfield at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
Gareth, a Honley High School pupil, will meet manager Peter Jackson and the team ahead of the game.
He will then lead the players out of the tunnel before taking his seat among more than 20,000 fellow Town supporters at the stadium.
Gareth was chosen after his name was drawn from a hat by the Blue & White Foundation, a Town supporters club.
Gareth's dad, Martyn, is a member of the Foundation.
He said Gareth, his family and friends, simply could not believe the news.
"He was just stunned until it eventually sank in."
Martyn, 42, Gareth's granddad Ronnie, 67 and uncle Paul, 43, all from Huddersfield, are travelling down together with Gareth. All four are life-long supporters.
Gareth started going to games almost as soon as he could walk.
"He is over the moon," said Martyn. "He couldn't wait to tell his mates. Then his teacher announced it at school!"
Gareth is a keen sportsman himself, playing soccer and cricket.
