Foxes fan's 'memory of lifetime' as Vardy's mascot

A Leicester City-loving youngster who flew out to Italy was chosen to hold the hand of Foxes legend Jamie Vardy as a mascot.

Arlo, eight, said he was "nervous" but the honour of joining Vardy on the Cremonese pitch ahead of their game with Hellas Verona was "a memory of a lifetime".

Vardy left Leicester at the end of last season after a 13-year spell at the club where he scored 200 goals in 500 appearances, before signing on a free transfer at newly-presented Serie A side.

His success in the Italian league - including becoming the first English player to be named Player of the Month in December - has not gone unnoticed by Foxes fans, including Arlo's dad Ash Dayman.

Before Christmas, 34-year-old Dayman, who is the brother of BBC Radio Leicester's breakfast show presenter, had decided to treat his son to a trip away, initially to Spain, but then decided they should "follow the goat" and head to Italy.

After visiting Bergamo and the San Siro in Milan, the family went to Cremona where Vardy is now plying his trade and Dayman managed to convince the club to allow Arlo to be a mascot "using half broken Italian sounding words".

Dayman said: "I thought I'd chance it. It was a bit surreal. We shooed him off with a bunch of Italian kids and off he went with his bag.

"I couldn't believe it once we saw him come out onto the pitch with Vards.

"Luck was on his side, that was the one he really wanted.

"It was the cherry on the top for this trip - amazing times."

Arlo, who also does not speak Italian, said getting to walk out with the former England and Leicester City striker was not guaranteed - with him potentially paired at random with any of the starting 11 for Cremonese or Verona.

He said: "They picked me randomly and I walked out with them.

"At first I was a bit nervous but it kept getting better.

"He was holding my hand and I think he was in the zone.

"Spending time in Italy with my dad and walking out with Vardy, it's one of the best things I've ever done."

The family's story captured plenty of attention, despite the game ending in a goalless draw.

Dayman said: "My phone was like a hot potato. Rebekah Vardy must have seen the photo we put up, we sent her a message to say thanks a lot for putting it on your Instagram.

"Gabriel wants to interview us on local telly next, we've got to go to the Cremonese store - we've had to put out train back an hour, hopefully we don't miss the flight or we might have to spend the next couple of days here which wouldn't be the worst thing to be honest!

"What a weekend."

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.