Following in his brother's footsteps

Buy photos » Billy Vale, ten, has been chosen to be a mascot at the England vs San Marino match. Picture by Marcus Mingins 4012025MMR

A FOOTBALL mad youngster is set to follow in the footsteps of his older brother, who died of cancer, by appearing as an England mascot.

Billy Vale won an Englandfans competition to walk out with the England team when they play their World Cup qualifier against San Marino at Wembley next Friday (October 12).

It will be a poignant moment for the ten-year-old as brother George did the same thing eight years ago by walking out at Old Trafford with Frank Lampard for England's game against Wales after winning the same competition.

George passed away last year aged 14, after battling cancer for six years after being diagnosed just two weeks after being a mascot in 2004.

He raised thousands of pounds for Birmingham Children's Hospital as a DJ running discos for local schools and events and Studley resident Billy has now taken it over and continues to raise money in his brother's name.

Mum Adele said: "When Billy found out he looked at the sky and said 'Thank you George'."

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