Football-mad Sheffield schoolgirl becomes mascot for Manchester City Women's match against Chelsea

Lottie Allen, from Mosborough, was joined by her fellow Handsworth Junior Under 11 Girls team members as they walked hand-in-hand with the Manchester City WFC players at the beginning of the Women's Super League fixture at Academy Stadium, in Manchester, on Sunday, February 23.

The 10-year-old was chosen to walk with City left-back Demi Stokes while the Handsworth Juniors goalkeeper was paired with Sheffield's own Ellie Roebuck.

The young team were then given the opportunity to see the game in action with the match ending in a 3-3 draw.

Lottie’s mum Jo Jackson, 44, said: “All the girls loved it and had a great day. They’re all passionate about football and want to be footballers when they grow older so it was a great and really inspiring experience for them. It was also a great game for them to see.”

The Mosborough Primary School pupil has been playing with Handsworth Juniors for three years and is in the Under 11 team who are currently playing against Under 12’s as they play so well.

In her spare time she also plays Futsal, a Fifa-sanctioned version of five-a-side football which, unlike other forms of indoor football, is played on a hard court with a smaller, harder, low-bounce ball.

She is hoping to go forward to the Under 12’s Derbyshire league quarter final following a match this Friday.

Jo added: “Her brother plays for the Handsworth Juniors Boys Under 7’s and my partner is a manager for the team. She's a massive Sheffield United fan too – as are the whole family! It’s all in the blood.”

The Handsworth Juniors Girls Under 11’s received free football boots and shirts, following the match and were able to see themselves afterwards on TV and in the match programme.

Tweeting a clip of the mascot walk, Mosborough Primary said: “What an achievement for Y6’s Lottie - look closely and you’ll see her on TV as a mascot for @ManCityWomen at the weekend! @YourSchoolGames.”