WORLD cup fever is sweeping the nation as the hopes and expectations of success rest on the shoulders of 11 men on the pitches of Brazil.


But a Sankey Bridges youngster got the opportunity to assess the ability of the England stars pitchside on Friday.


Keeley Holford, of Snowberry Crescent, Saxon Park, walked onto the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium with Danny Welbeck in their match against Peru where the team cruised to a 3-0 win ahead of the start of the tournament next Thursday.


The ?-year-old won the chance to be a mascot at the game by winning a competition on the McDonald’s KickStart website.


Speaking after the match Keeley said: “It was amazing to be at Wembley and meet the players.

The noise when we walked out on to the pitch was incredible. It was great to see England win before they go to the World Cup. I can’t wait for it to start!”


McDonald’s and The FA have been community partners since 2002 working on projects including helping 75 per cent of all youth clubs achieve FA Charter Standard status before the end of 2014.


One of the areas of the programme gives young players the chance to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience of walking onto the pitch with their football heroes as a McDonald’s player escort.


Sir Geoff Hurst, McDonald’s director of football, said: “England are going to the tournament full of confidence, and I think with our young, exciting team, we can make a good impression.


“The Peru match was a chance for players to show Roy Hodgson what they can do which made for an excellent performance. I’m sure that Keeley and the other McDonald’s Player Escorts loved their day at Wembley.”


For further information on McDonald’s involvement in grassroots football and to find out about McDonald’s Player Escorts, apply for club grants and details on the 2014 FA Community Football Awards, visit mcdonalds.co.uk/kickstart.