Glory, glory Man U Riley

MATCH mascot . . . Riley Parrish with Fred the Red before the game

WHEN six-year-old Riley Parrish was told he may never walk again, little did he know he would one day lead out his beloved Manchester United at Old Trafford ahead of the derby.

The brave Failsworth boy was admitted to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital after suffering a stroke just before his fourth birthday. The stroke, caused by a brain tumour left him with a form of cerebral palsy that caused paralysis down one side and left him unable to speak.

After physiotherapy the soccer-mad child learned to walk and talk all over again.

Now he loves nothing more than chatting about his favourite team — especially after appearing at the Theatre of Dreams as the official United mascot for their Premier League clash with rivals City on Sunday.

Riley’s mum Gemma said: “Riley loves football and he was over the moon to be chosen to be the derby-day mascot. He has been excited for weeks. He was laughing and joking with the players. It’s something we’ll never forget.”

The family were treated to the full Old Trafford VIP experience watching the match from the hospitality suite where they were also treated to a half- time talk from United legend Bryan Robson.

Riley enjoyed lining up with the players in the tunnel, before heading on to the pitch. He was also given a shirt full of signatures including Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay.

Gemma added: “Riley has come such a long way in the past few years. Sunday was a world away from where we were two years ago. We didn’t think Riley would walk, never mind walk out at Old Trafford.”

Remarkable Riley stole the hearts of Oldhamers when he scooped the Chronicle Readers’ Choice Pride in Oldham award last November on his sixth birthday.