TWO lucky Newport youngsters won the chance to walk out at Cardiff City Stadium with the Wales international team before their World Cup qualifying match against Serbia.

Jake Williams-Long, aged nine, and eight-year-old Ethan West walked out with Celtic’s Adam Matthews and Reading’s Newport-born Chris Gunter before Wales suffered a 3-0 defeat.

They won the player escort places after entering a national competition via McDonald’s website mcdonalds.co.uk/kickstart.

Ethan said: “It was amazing to walk out onto the pitch with the Wales team. I couldn’t wait to meet the players and see the stadium!”

Ian Rush, MBE and McDonald’s head of Welsh football, added: “The atmosphere was electric despite the result and I’m sure the player escorts walking onto the pitch had a fantastic time.

"The McDonald’s football programme is about creating opportunities for people to get involved in grassroots football and to give youngsters footballing opportunities they will never forget. Hopefully this was one of them!”

For further information on McDonald’s involvement in grassroots football and to find out about further opportunities to win the chance to become a McDonald’s player escort, apply for club grants or win a visit from one of our football ambassadors, visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk/kickstart