A FOOTBALL mad eight-year-old will have a day he'll never forget as he walks out on to the hallowed turf of Wembley stadium tomorrow.

Lucas Randall, who has Down's syndrome and is currently battling leukaemia, will emerge from the tunnel with Oxford United captain Jake Wright as the U's take on Barnsley tomorrow.

The youngster, who attends every U's home game when well enough, was delighted when the Untied community trust told him he would be a mascot.

Lucas's dad Paul said he, his son and his mum Shelley Eldridge, who live in Watlington Road, Blackbird Leys, were "overwhelmed" by the gesture.

He added: "It's going of be brilliant day for all of us. When I told him he just put his arms up and started shouting "yellows yellows" – he knows all the songs.

"Lucas struggles to talk properly, but when we go to the football you can see the grin on his face.

"We bought him a karaoke for Christmas but he doesn't bother using the songs or the TV, he just sings Oxford United songs.

"We have been through some hard times, but he is a really tough boy and it will be a great weekend for us. He is Oxford mad."

Lucas was diagnosed with leukaemia a year-and-a-half ago and has since been receiving extensive treatment.

His father said he was winning his battle with the life-threatening disease after having lumbar punctures every week.

The Oxford Bus company worker added: "He spent last Christmas in hospital. They couldn't see him getting better, but he pulled through.

"He is really tough and does not let anything get him down despite having gone through everything. His treatment is scheduled to end on December 4."

Mr Randall first took his son to support the U's after he saw the joy on his face watching games on the TV.

He added: "I didn't think he would be able to sit and watch the whole game, but I took him with my brother and we had a boys' days out. I could never not take him to a game now.

"The club have been brilliant by sorting this out – they always make us welcome .

"Wembley will be a long day for him but he'll make it through."

Caroline Robbins, Oxford United community trust director, said having the chance to see Lucas be a happy little boy and forget about the trauma of hospital had been "amazing".

She added: "Lucas will be one of the two mascots leading the teams out. The Wembley Hilton has kindly given us a reduced rate for two nights and KLM Chauffeurs of Oxford have kindly offered to take him and his family there and back.

"We hope they have a fantastic day out."