West Ham fan Archie Stripp found himself on the pitch with his idols on Saturday after he won the Recorder’s mascot competition.

The eight-year-old walked out through the tunnel with James Tompkins as the team won 3-1 against Southampton at the Boleyn ground in Upton Park.

Archie, who has been a fan of the club since he started playing football at the age of five, was accompanied to the match by his mother Becky Mosely,30, of Manwood Street, North Woolwich.

She said he was “over the moon”, when he found out he had won the competition.

She said: “He did not sleep at all the night before and he was up at 6.30am on Saturday and got his West Ham kit on even before he had opened his eyes.

“He was nervous and he was overcome with the excitement.”

As part of his prize, Archie was treated to a training session with the club’s coaches, met the players and walked with them through the tunnel to the pitch.

Becky said: “I was so proud when he came out on the pitch, I was in tears. So is my mum Sharon as she is the one who is a massive football fan. He will remember this day forever.”

She said Archie couldn’t wait to show his friends the gifts he received at the club.