Remeise's feeling just champion
Young Remeise Dejonge-Lee's dream came true when he led out Manchester United for the 'game of the season' against Arsenal.
Remeise, 12, of Lloyd Street South, Fallowfield, was picked as the teams's chief mascot for the day and walk out at Old Trafford with Untied's match captain, Rio Ferdinand. The young football fan, who goes to Chorlton High School, got to have a kick about on the pitch during the warm-up and then shook hands with all the players after the line-up. He also managed to get the autographs of Ferdinand and other players including, Cristiano Ronaldo, Owen Hargreaves, Wes Brown, Edwin Van De Sar, and Nani.
Remeise, who plays left wing for Stretford Victorians, said he enjoyed the day, particularly as United won the game against one of their rivals, giving them a great chance to win their 17th league title. He said: "It was brilliant, I really loved it. I was absolutely gutted when Arsenal scored but I knew that Ronaldo would score the penalty. It was an incredible atmosphere, and everyone was so excited afterwards. I got to shake all the players' hands."
Remeise was chosen as a mascot because he attends a group at Stretford Leisure Centre on Saturdays evenings, called URBAN LEISURE. The group runs drop-in sessions for youngsters who want to play football or other sports activities.
The programme manager at the centre Mike mcKenzie was asked by United to select a mascot, and the group's youth coaches suggested Remeise because of the commitment he had shown to the group.
His mum Christina, a fundraiser for Barnardo's said: "He absolutely loved being a mascot. It was fantastic for him to meet all the players and get out on the pitch, I don't think he's stopped talking about it since. "The group he goes to do such a fantastic thing for kids from ordinary families who might not have lots of opportunities but who have talent, so I'm really grateful to them for picking Remeise. "This really was a once in a life-time chance, and it was a dream come true for him.
