WITH Euro 2000 approaching football fans everywhere will be glued to the television -- but one young fan from Lytham will be closer to the action.

Eight-year-old Anthony Joy will be actually be walking out on the pitch with the teams in one of the quarter finals of the competition to be held in Amsterdam on June 24.

The Clifton Primary School pupil has been chosen to be an official players escort and will accompany one of the players as the teams walk out onto the pitch before the big match.

He will stay on the pitch during the national anthems to savour all the pre-match excitement before taking his place in the stand with his father to watch the game.

Anthony won his dream opportunity after his father entered a Coca-Cola competiton at the Somerfield supermarket in Blackpool and is one of a group of boys and girls from all around the Europe who will escort teams during the tournament. The prize includes a free flight to Holland and a four days at a hotel in the country to fully savour the atmosphere of the tournament.

He's already got his kit ready for the big day and if all goes well Kevin Keegan's team will be playing in the match so he can meet his heroes David Beckham and Michael Owen.

Anthony supports Everton and wants to be a professional footballer when he grows up.

Unsurprisingly he cannot wait to fly over to Holland and step on the pitch with some of the world's best players in front of thousands of fans.

He said: " I am very excited and really looking forward to going out onto the pitch with the players.

"I hope it is England playing in the match but whatever teams are playing it will be brilliant."

Pictured: Anthony is hoping to meet Owen and Beckham