A FOOTBALL-MAD youngster achieved his dream of playing on the pitch of his favourite football team after winning a competition.

Stanley Sykes, 9, of Mistley joined 30 members of the Junior Gunners at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium after their final home game of the season to play on the hallowed turf for half an hour.

He was also given two tickets to the match against West Brom which Arsenal won 1-0, and mother Juliette said he loved the experience.

“Stanley is a massive Gooner so it was a brilliant day for him,” said Mrs Sykes.

“They always run the competition with a question in the magazine he gets but this is the first time we had entered.

“I didn’t tell him until the next magazine came out and he was so excited he didn’t believe me at first."