AN elated young footballer has won a coveted competition to join Liverpool FC as a mascot for their last pre-season friendly.

Dougie Densley could be brushing shoulders with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah as they face SV Darmstadt 98 at Preston North End’s Deepdale Stadium tonight (Monday).

The ten-year-old, who lives in Ormsgill, is an avid Liverpool fan – and has been playing for Hawcoat Juniors since March.

“He only started football training at Hawcoat Juniors in March and absolutely loves it,” said mum Chelsea Ballantyne.

“All of his family support Manchester United but Dougie set his eyes on Liverpool – he’s very strong-minded.

“This year I thought we would get him a membership for Liverpool so he could go to matches. I had a look at all the competitions and saw a mascot one and thought I would just apply for it.”

Chelsea never expected to receive an email to say her son had won the opportunity to be an LFC mascot.

She said: “I got this email which said congratulations you have won the opportunity to be a mascot at Liverpool’s last pre-season friendly before the Premier League starts. I never thought we would win – I just couldn’t believe it. You normally have to pay for the mascot experience.

“He gets to walk out with one of the players as well as his own kit, complimentary food and he gets to sit up in the box to watch the match.

“He told me he wants to walk out with McAllister or Mo Sala but doesn’t mind!

“When I told Dougie the news, his face absolutely lit up – he couldn’t believe it.

“You can only be a mascot until you’re 11 and it’s Dougie’s 11th birthday in November so this was the only opportunity he was going to get.

“I’ve been an emotional wreck. No-one in Barrow gets an opportunity like this.

“He’ll remember this for the rest of his life. I’m glad he’s old enough to remember this experience.”

Liverpool FC will play SV Darmstadt 98 at Preston North End’s Deepdale Stadium at 7pm tonight.

The match will be broadcast on LFCTV GO.