Well played son . . . Ben, 12, has a cup final date at Wembley

For most schoolboys, standing in front of screaming football fans at Wembley Stadium to present a cup final man-of-the-match award is the stuff of fantasy.

But for 12-year-old Ben Greenslade it's about to become a reality, after he was selected to give out the prize at the Carling Cup final between Aston Villa and Manchester United later this month.

The Gordano School pupil from Portishead was selected for the role because of his family links with the League Cup, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

His great grandfather Alan Hardaker, former secretary of the Football League, was the inspiration behind the setting up of the competition in 1960.

Ben's 42-year-old father Martin Greenslade said his son, a Liverpool fan, was excited about presenting the award on February 28.

Mr Greenslade, who works as a pilot in the Bristol Channel and lives with his family in The Downs, said: "We only found out a couple of days ago. We suggested the idea to the management of the competition and they came back and said it would be fitting for Ben to present the award on the 50th anniversary.

"Ben will be stood next to whoever is going to hand over the Carling Cup to the winning team. He will be easily seen on television and is very excited about it.

"He will be hoping Aston Villa win because he is a typical Liverpool fan but quietly, as an England fan, I think he would like to present the man-of-the-match award to Wayne Rooney. It will be a great memory for a 12-year-old."

Mr Greenslade said it would be his family's first visit to the new Wembley Stadium, where they will watch from the Royal Box.

Ben said: "When I found out about it, I was really excited and I'm looking forward to presenting the trophy and meeting the players. I'm chuffed. Some of my friends at school didn't believe me when I told them."

Six years ago, Mr Greenslade's nephew Tom Coyle, now 18, presented the man-of-the-match award at the League Cup final between Bolton and Middlesborough at the Millennium Stadium.

Mr Hardaker was Football League secretary for more than 30 years and lived near its headquarters in St Anne's, Lancashire.