Four thrilled boys celebrate getting an extra special look at the ball that was used when England won the World Cup in 1966.
The artefact is usually behind glass in a cabinet at a museum.
Bosses gave the orange ball a very rare outing at the venue so the four England fans could get a close-up ahead of the Euro 2020 game against Germany.
One of the lads, Hughie Higginson, who has battled leukaemia in the past year, said: “It was so exciting to see the original 1966 World Cup final football.”
Hughie, 11, from Higham, Lancs, was joined by best pal Freddie Xavi, 10, from nearby Whalley.
Hughie said: “Me and Freddie made a wish over the ball for England to win the Euros.”
The pals have raised £230,000 for the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where Hughie has been treated. The pair are Pride of Manchester winners and have been nominated for the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain awards, in partnership with TSB.
Frankie Felton, 11, and Malik Haughton, 12, also got a close-up of the iconic ball at the National Football Museum in Manchester.
Frankie, of Arnside, Cumbria, called the experience “cool”. Malik, from nearby Slack Head, said: “I was overwhelmed.”
England beat West Germany 4-2 in the final at Wembley in 1966. Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick, including the disputed goal when the ball hit the underside of the bar and bounced down. It is the only time England have won a major trophy.
In 1996, the Mirror paid £80,000 for the ball to West German player Helmut Haller who took it after the match. The ball is on permanent loan to the museum.
