FOOTBALL-mad Everton supporter Alex Luxton from Winkleigh has been chosen from 10,000 juniors to be the mascot for the forthcoming game against Tottenham on January 19.

For the 12-year-old, whose middle name is Everton, it is a dream come true and naturally his father Michael, who has been supporting the club since the 1966 World Cup, is equally delighted.

Michael and Alex and Michael's partner Janet Bridger could be easily classed as Everton's number one fans, travelling from Devon to each and every home game to watch their heroes play, so when Alex runs out on the pitch at Tottenham in front of 35,000 people, it will be a proud moment.

'He is so excited — it's got to be every young lad's dream to be a mascot for a premiership football club and Alex is no exception,' said Michael, who has even painted the exterior of his house in the club's colours of blue and white.

On the day Alex will get changed and warm-up with the players before running out onto the pitch in full kit with the team. There will also be time to meet and talk to all the players and get photographs.

Being such a fan Alex has already been photographed with most of the players — a gallery of pictures and memorabilia adorn the walls of the Luxton family home — but he has not yet been snapped with the legend that is Paul Gascoigne.

'Unfortunately we have been told we cannot take a camcorder into the Tottenham ground which is a shame,' said Michael.

'It's going to be an amazing experience for Alex to run out with the team and the captain so we will be capturing as much as we can on camera.'

The youngster, who plays for the Winkleigh Junior Team, will be hoping to turn around the fortunes of Everton, who have had a run of bad results recently and have not had a win at Tottenham for 13 years.

Michael said he first became a fan of the club after seeing Alan Ball play in the 1966 World Cup: 'Alan played for Everton and it just took off from there — they have been a very good side over the years.'

The chief executive of the club was so impressed with the Luxton's commitment to Everton that he has agreed for them to attend a VIP day in March.

A minibus of Everton and Tottenham supporters from the Winkleigh area will be travelling up to the ground on January 19 to watch the game and cheer on Alex, who is currently the envy of all his friends.