SCHOOLBOY John Safrany got the chance of a lifetime on Tuesday as he accompanied the Hungarian team as mascot at their World Cup warm up against England.

The nine-year-old walked onto the hallowed turf at Old Trafford amidst his football heroes as one of 11 young mascots accompanying the Hungarian national squad.

The Year 5 pupil at St Mary's School, Chippenham, also got to see the England stars including David Beckham and Steven Gerrard as the two teams lined up in the tunnel together.

"I walked on at the front with the Hungarian team captain Pa Dardai and was right next to David Beckham," said John.

"Dardai scored Hungary's only goal. It was fantastic.

"The FA photographer took pictures of us so we'll have an official photo as a souvenir and we also get to keep the kit.

"Old Trafford was amazing I've never been there before and the noise each time England scored was deafening.

"Fifty-six thousand people make a lot of noise."

The young mascots, all of whom have Hungarian parents or grandparents, were kitted out in team colours and treated to a mini tour before the match and were able to watch the squad warm up.

John had mixed feelings about representing the country of his paternal grandparents as they played against his own country just days before the start of the World Cup.

Dundee United supporter John said: "My grandparents were born in Hungary but have lived in Sheffield since 1957.

"Grandad is the secretary of the Hungarian Club in Rochdale and he was contacted by the Hungarian Embassy."

He added that he was quite nervous at the prospect of being a mascot.

"I was worried about my Hungarian it's not very good and my dad and other parents weren't allowed to stay in the dressing rooms.

"My dad Steve is fluent but nearly all the players could speak English so we mixed and matched. They were all really nice."

John's father Steve, a lecturer at the University of Bath, watched the match with the parents of the other mascots.

He said: "I'd like to thank the Embassy staff and the FA organisers for looking after John and all the mascots. They had a wonderful time. It's been a fantastic experience for the whole family.

"My dad, my brother and his family and some family friends all made the trip to Manchester.

"The rest of the family, including all our relatives in Hungary, were glued to their televisions."