Hero Ben Foster follows young fan's wishes to the letter
An Albion-mad youngster from Oldbury will lead out his heroes against Everton tonight after winning a dream birthday treat in an Express & Star competition.
Baggies fanatic Owen Burton, of Mallard Drive, will rub shoulders with Albion stars including his favourite – goalkeeper Ben Foster.
He will then take to the field as mascot for the Premier League clash with Everton at The Hawthorns.
Owen, who celebrates his eighth birthday today, was selected as mascot after winning a competition in the Express & Star as part of Barclays' 'Thank You' campaign, which is dedicated to recognising fans for their continued support.
He wrote a 'thank you' letter to Foster to win his once-in-a-lifetime experience.
He and his father – fellow Albion fan Scott Burton – will receive a behind-the-scenes Hawthorns tour tonight and be introduced to the Baggies team before Owen leads out the players ahead of the meeting with the high-flying Toffees.
Mum Sarah Burton said: "I can't tell you how excited he is.
"He is an absolutely massive Albion fan. Everything he does is about Albion.
"His bedroom is all Albion and he has a shed in the garden that is all Albion as well.
"He just loves it, and especially Ben Foster.
"He has been a massive fan of Ben since he first arrived at the club on loan from Birmingham.
"I don't really know why, because he plays as a striker, at the other end of the pitch to Ben, but he has always loved him from the day he signed for Albion."
To win the competition Owen, a pupil at Bleakhouse Junior School in Oldbury, wrote to the Albion No.1 and said: "It would make my dreams come true to meet you on my birthday."
The youngster, who plays for Oldbury-based CS Colts, also told England man Foster: "Thank you for being the best goalkeeper in the world and playing for Albion."
Owen, who has a season ticket in the East Stand, may be in a state of high excitement, but Sarah added: "I don't know who is more excited, Owen or his dad.
"The whole family are big Albion fans so they're all really excited and they will all be watching him on TV, because the game is live on Sky.
"My parents have the Express & Star delivered every night and spotted the competition.
"I told Owen about it, gave him the pen and paper to write the letter and the rest was down to him.
"We had no idea he would win, but it's great that he has."
