Oliver Reece Grady got an early birthday surprise on Saturday, 7th December, when he learnt that he was going to be a Mascot at the Doncaster v Cheltenham Town football match later that day. He had seen boys walking out onto the pitch with their favourite players when he watched a game on television and had said to his Mam & Dad “how amazing that must be.”
Imagine his surprise then when they told him he would be doing that. He was so excited that he couldn’t wait for the car journey to come to an end. Oliver Reece and his parents (Ali and Aiden) were met by the Mascot Coordinator at the Eco Power Stadium. Oliver Reece was kitted out in the full Doncaster home strip. He then had a tour of the stadium, met the players, manager and staff, as well as Donny Dog, the Doncaster Rovers official mascot.
Oliver Reece was also on the pitch with the players as they went through their pre-match warm up prior to the moment when he walked out with the team through the tunnel and onto the pitch before kick-off. He couldn’t believe that he actually got to walk out onto the pitch with his favourite player, local lad, Luke Molyneux.
Oliver Reece and his parents then watched the game and, although Rovers didn’t win, Oliver Reece did get to see Luke score the second goal resulting in a 2-2 draw. After the game Oliver Reece and his parents went into the Players Lounge where they met the Captain, Owen Bailey, who was only too happy to add his signature to the other players who had signed Oliver Reece’s strip. So, I guess, that strip will never get washed now!!!
Oliver Reece is 9 on 20th December and he plays for Newton Aycliffe Juniors Under 9’s team. He can’t wait to tell his team mates about his exciting day at Doncaster Rovers Football Club. A day he will never forget.