A FOOTBALL-mad youngster had a night to remember when walked out alongside England captain Steven Gerrard before their win over Poland which saw the team qualify for the World Cup.

Spencer Challinor, aged seven, was selected for the honour after winning a McDonald’s competition — but did not know which player he would be accompanying.

He travelled to Wembley with his father Paul, a former professional footballer who played for Bury in the 1999-2000 season, and brothers Reece, aged 11, and Aidan, aged nine.

Paul said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day from start to finish. We had no idea who Spencer would be walking out with until we saw him with the team just like everybody else.”

The youngster has followed in his father’s footsteps and is a talented footballer himself, playing for Walshaw Sports Club, and was selected to join the Liverpool Academy under-sevens team over the summer.

Spencer, who attends Chantlers Primary School, may have come up trumps in walking out with the England captain, but his dad says the Liverpool midfielder, who scored the winning goal in a 2-0 victory, was not his first choice.

Paul, of Lodge Side, Elton, added: “He wanted to walk out with Wayne Rooney because he is a Manchester United fan, but it was perfect with Gerrard being the captain and scoring the winning goal, as well as Spencer’s links to Liverpool. Spencer has been the centre of attention. He was training at Liverpool the next day and the coaches were asking him if Steven had said anything to him.”