When young Oldham Athletic fan Freddie Hulley wrote to the club asking if he could be a mascot there was only one thing standing between him and his dream.
His polite letter explained that he supported the team, would love to meet the players and walk on the pitch before a game. No problem then? Except that the handwritten request – simply signed ‘love Freddie’ – had arrived without contact details.
So in a bid to arrange the special day for the young lad the club took to social media to try and #FindFreddie. And thanks to the efforts of football fans across the country they were able to locate the youngster and set the wheels in motion.
"I found out about this through a friend of mine on Facebook and he said Freddie's letter was on there and I was shocked,” dad Paul told the club’s website after the mystery was solved.
"I was proud of Freddie and excited that the club wanted to hear more from Freddie. I didn't expect the reaction it has got and it's brilliant."
After successfully tracking seven-year-old Freddie down, the club invited him to the ground where he was greeted by manager Darren Kelly, full-back Jack Truelove and mascot Chaddy the Owl.
After having his picture taken beside the pitch, the youngster got the chance to show off his football skills for the boss before Kelly treated him to a tour of the changing rooms and his office. Freddie even had the chance to sit in the manager’s chair.
Speaking about his son’s visit to the club, Paul said: "Freddie is elated and made up. I didn't expect the manager, Chaddy and Jack to be here so his day has been made and I can't thank the club enough."
Freddie will now have his dream come true when he appears as a club mascot for the game against Scunthorpe United on October 10, just three days before his eighth birthday.