A football mad youngster from Nork will live every schoolboy’s dream today as he walks out alongside his heroes in the FA Cup Final at Wembley.

Reece Woodham from Parsonsfield Road, Nork won a competition to be one of 11 Crystal Palace mascots as they take on Manchester United this afternoon.

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Wilfried Zaha in action against Watford in the FA Cup semi-final

Alan Pardew’s side beat Southampton, Stoke City, Tottenham Hotspur, Reading, and Watford on their way to the final.

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Victory would see Palace life their first major trophy in their 110-year history.

His dad, James Woodham, had entered his son into FA Cup sponsor’s Emirates’ competition to be a mascot with the hope of getting a ticket himself.

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Crystal Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye evades Watford's Ben Watson

Lucky Reece, 11, will be part of a TV special Legends of the FA Cup on Friday night and will join Palace as they walk out the Wembley tunnel.

He will join Reece and his other son Dylan at Wembley this afternoon. The three of them are all season ticket holders at Selhurst Park.

Mr Woodham said: “A few weeks ago, like any Crystal Palace fan without a ticket I was thinking about how to get there.

“So I entered a competition with Emirates (who are sponsoring the FA Cup this year) and we won!”

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Reece, a goalkeeper for his local team Nork Park rangers and his school team at Warren Mead School, said: "I can't believe it's really going to happen.

“When my dad got the e-mail though, he thought it was a joke.

“Being in the tunnel on Saturday with the players I will be so nervous, but not as nervous as the Man Utd players!"

His dad James is similarly confident of the Eagles’ chances today.

“Palace are going to win,” he said confidently.

He explained: “It’s a replay of the 1990 final. They won it that time, so it is our turn.”