AN avid Manchester United fan from Worcester will take part in a once-in-a-lifetime football match when he runs out on the pitch in the “theatre of dreams”.

Elliot King, who is a season ticket holder at Old Trafford, has been in the stands to watch his heroes march to the Premier League title – but is now preparing to take to the field himself and raise money for a sporting charity.

Football Aid has teamed up with a number of clubs across the country offering fans the chance to play in a series of one-off matches.

Mr King, aged 25, of Keates Avenue, Blanquettes Estate, went through a bidding process and paid £700 for the privilege of pulling on the red shirt at the 76,000-seater stadium, with all funds going to the not-for profit organisation.

He is travelling up to Manchester with his family on Bank Holiday Monday for the team’s Premier League title parade and takes part in the charity match the following day.

With United taking on Barcelona in the Champions League final tonight, he is hoping it will be a triple celebration.

Mr King, who plays for VBL in the Worcester Saturday league and CMB Sports in the Sunday premier, said: “Just going out on to the pitch will be un-real. It is the sort of thing which you never really think you will get the opportunity to do.

“I paid quite a lot of money to do it but it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and is all for charity.

“I’ve just about given up on making it as a Premier League player, so this is the closest I will get!”

The market research worker is travelling to London today to watch the Champions League Final with about 2,000 fans at a screening hosted by the Manchester United Supporter’s Trust.

“We have got as good a chance as anyone of beating Barcelona,” he said.

“I know it’s what all the pundits say, but if we can contain Messi we’ve got a chance.”

For more information, visit footballaid.com.