A LUCKY nine-year-old who escorted the England squad on the pitch will be cheering them on from home as they face Iceland.

Charlie Collett, from Colchester, enjoyed a once in a lifetime experience rubbing shoulders with football’s elite when he was selected as a McDonald’s Player Escort.

Ahead of their second Euro match against Wales, which led to a 2-1 win, Charlie and seven other British youngsters walked out of the player’s tunnel in Lens.

The Langenhoe Community Primary School pupil was entered into McDonald’s Player Escort programme competition earlier this year by his dad, Ian.

Mr Collett had forgotten all about it when he received a call with the exciting news in April.

Charlie was then filmed by mum Clair as the surprise was revealed to him.

As part of the competition Charlie was also put through his paces by England legend and Euro ambassador Alan Shearer, who gave the boys a full day of skills training.

Charlie said the best part was walking onto the pitch and been stood in front of striker Eric Dier.

He said: “It was nerve-racking especially when I got to see how tall they were because I felt quite small beside them.

“The players didn’t talk too much in the tunnel. Harry Kane’s face was dead straight, he didn’t talk a bit, but Eric did and asked how I was. The others were cheering each other on.

“My whole school watched the match and my older sister’s class at Philip Morant School.

“Although I was nervous at some points, all in all it was amazing.”

Charlie rated football a nine out of 10 and said although he only plays at school, he enjoys it.

The young Tottenham fan will be watching Monday’s match at home with his dad.

Mr Collett said: “McDonald’s had asked for us to record their reactions and then they posted it on Twitter, so Charlie was ecstatic.

“Charlie was excited but also quite blasé about it because he didn’t understand the implications of it at first.

“Once Charlie left the hotel at 8am, I didn’t see him again until 10 minutes before kick off.

“They all looked so relaxed as though it was something they did everyday of the week.

“It was very emotional for me to see how proud Charlie was as he sang the national anthem.

“It was really beautiful.”