A York school boy who has twice undergone major heart surgery has lived the dream of football fans across the world.

Cameron Scott was chosen to be the mascot for Manchester City and led the captain Vincent Kompany onto the pitch in front of almost 46,000 spectators before their Premiership game against Arsenal.

The Year 3 pupil at Hempland Primary School in Heworth swapped his usual Sunday morning pastime, playing for Fulford under-8s, for the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The surprise had been arranged by family friend Gaynor Bearder, who had contacted the Premier League champions and told them about the brave young football fan.

Cameron, now eight, was born with his aortic valve fused shut, and needed keyhole surgery to save his life when he was just two days old. He then had further major surgery four years ago.

Cameron, a Child of The Year in the 2009 York Community Pride Awards, still has routine scans every three months to monitor his condition, and faces the prospect of another operation in the future.

On Sunday, he received a goody bag with the full City away kit, along with a plaque bearing his name, as thanks for being the club mascot.

As part of the treat, Cameron, his parents Allan and Jacqui, and sister Lydia were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of City's Etihad stadium, including the changing rooms before the match, the pitch area and the players' lounge.

Then, after their arrival, all the players and manager Manuel Pelligrini shook Cameron's hand and signed his shirt.

He then accompanied Kompany through the tunnel and onto the pitch, leading out the team, before shaking hands with all the Arsenal players.

Cameron, and the other player escorts, were then invited to shoot against his all-time hero, Joe Hart, in goal just before the match.

Cameron said he felt nervous before going onto the pitch, but added: "It was the best day of my life."

The highlights, he said, included getting the autographs and meeting some of the world's best players.

His dad Allan, a wedding and commercial photographer, said the experience was all the more special because Cameron had mentioned just before Christmas how amazing it would be to escort his team out.

"Cameron took his shirt with him and all the players and the manager stopped and said hello to him and signed his shirt. He was blown away. He was over the moon. He has almost the full squad's signatures on his shirt."


York school boy Cameron Scott, eight, leading out Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany onto the pitch in front of almost 46,000 spectators before their Premiership game against Arsenal on Sunday. Video: Allan Scott