IT WAS a dream come true for three young Okehampton football fans last week when they were ball-boys in a match which featured premiership side West Ham United.
Ricky Moore, 13 and brothers Gary and Neil Bailey, 11 and 9 respectively, were picked along with nine other youngsters to perform a vital role in the Exeter City versus West Ham United testimonial match for City striker Darren Rowbotham last Wednesday at St James' Park.
For the boys, who are all members of Exeter City's Red Army junior supporters' club, it was a night they would never forget, according to mum Jane Bailey.
'It was a really special occasion for them, especially Gary because he is a big Exeter City fan and was really chuffed to be picked,' she said.
'It was Darren Rowbotham's last match and everybody was there — Neil even got to speak to the West Ham goalkeepers.'
Sally Cooke, who runs the junior supporters' club, said testimonial matches did not come along very often so it was a wonderful chance for the young fans to become involved.
'Darren has always been a favourite with the lads and one of the most popular players,' she said.
'He was released from the club in May but scored more than 100 goals in two spells with Exeter City — if anyone was worthy of a benefit match it was Darren.'
She said asking members of the Red Army to act as ball-boys was a way of saying thank you for supporting the team.
She asked for names to be put forward and was inundated with replies. Some of the lads who were picked came from as far as Reading.
Last year, 170 young football fans joined the Red Army — as well as getting to see their team play on a regular basis, they also have an opportunity to meet the players at Christmas and the end of the season.
Gary Bailey is hoping to be selected as one of the regular ball-boys for the season.
l Pictured right are the three boys with Darren Rowbotham and fellow ball-boys, also Okehampton Argyle juniors, Tom Ballagher and Matt Woodward.