Footie fan, 11, taken to his school prom by hero Matt le Tissier to prove to his schoolmates that he knew ex-Prem ace
A YOUNG footie fan was left stunned when Matt Le Tissier came to pick him up to drive him to his school prom.
Ben Shaw, 11, had been going to the former Southampton star’s football academy for four years.
But the lad was left frustrated after the other kids at his school didn’t believe him.
So when the time came for his year six leaver’s prom, Ben’s parents asked Le Tissier if he wouldn’t mind giving their son a lift to prove he knew him once and for all.
They weren’t sure the ex-England international midfielder would actually agree, with Ben's mum Claire Shaw, 42, admitting it was a “shot in the dark”.
So they were stunned when the Southampton legend said yes and drove him to the event at the city’s Oakwood Primary School in his white convertible Mercedes.
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Account manager Claire said: “It was amazing.
“Ben has had a hard time at school.
“The other kids were taking the mick out of him saying he doesn't go to the academy.
“We wanted to do something special for his prom and Ben was completely shocked – it was lovely.
“I was hopeful Matt would say yes because he is a lovely guy but it was a shot in the dark.
“But then I went into the academy and they said he would love to do it.
“It was so hard to keep it a secret from Ben.
“It was arranged about eight weeks before as I didn't want to risk him finding out – it was torture!”
Claire told her son he was going to the prom in a digger and kept up the pretence until the big day.
She said: “When I picked him up from school on the day I told him the digger wasn't happening and we had something special planned.
“I was happy I hadn't told him until the day because he didn’t let up with questions until Matt arrived on our driveway and then Ben was amazed.
“I cannot say what an amazing and down to earth person Matt is.
“He truly is a legend and a true inspiration to the kids at his academy.”
Gobsmacked Ben said: “I was really excited and surprised.
“It was really good and all my friends were really impressed – they wanted to know how I did it.
“The prom was very good but my favourite bit was the ride with Matt!”
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