SEVEN-year-old Stanley Doherty experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when he lead out his favourite team, Manchester City, against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

Stanley, from Hall i' th' Wood, regularly attends football sessions at Sporting Edge Community Centre in Manchester — and was rewarded for the commitment he shows during training and matches.

The opportunity came from Barclays who have built over 200 community sports sites since 2004 in partnership with the Football Foundation.

The seven-year-old said: "I had an amazing day that I won’t forget, it was great to go to the match with my family and I really enjoyed running on the pitch. I got to meet Joe Hart too and walk out at the start of the game with him.”

Barclays Spaces for Sports is a community sports programme which uses the power of sport to help young people develop the confidence and skills they need, and revitalise disadvantaged communities.

As part of this scheme, Barclays chose the Football Foundation to deliver the award-winning £67 million facilities investment programme which has developed 200 community facilities across the UK, that cater for a wide range of sports.