TO football fans, your favourite player scoring a 90th minute winner on Boxing Day sounds like the perfect Christmas present.

But imagine if you have just met your hero, had a kickabout before the game and even scored a penalty at halftime - because that is exactly what happened to eight-year old Liverpool fan Daniel Pugh last week.

Daniel, like dad Robert, is a member of the Hereford branch of the Liverpool Supporters Club and last Wednesday was the away team mascot when Derby County took on Liverpool.

There was no Boxing Day lie in for the Pugh family as they made their way from their Leominster home to Derby's Pride Park ground for 1pm.

They were met at the main doors by a club official who took them to the room where players relax before the game - and where Daniel greeted all of the Liverpool players when they arrived as well as manager Rafa Benitez.

Then the youngster, wearing a new replica kit provided by the club, had a kick-about out on the pitch with Derby's two mascots and club mascot Rammie the Ram.

Gerrard then led out the Liverpool players to warm up for the match and passed the ball with Daniel before having his photograph taken.

*For full story see this week's Hereford Times.