A yount football fanatic prepared for Arsenal’s visit to Albion tomorrow by parading with the FA Cup on the Palace Pier.

Thomas Kiely, 11, from Brighton, took the famous cup for a ride on the dodgems and a spin on the carousel after winning a competition through the Football Association.

The Seagulls’ fan was also picked to be a ‘player escort’ at the cup final at Wembley in May – meaning tens of millions of people across the globe will see him run out on to the hallowed turf with the players.

He was selected from thousands of other entries to the FA competition, which aims to give youngsters the chance to get their hands on the trophy.

Thomas said: “I’m hoping Albion make it to the final as it would be even better to run out with my favourite players.

“I entered the competition on a Sunday night and got a call from the FA the next day to say I had won.

“I couldn’t believe it. It was really exciting seeing the trophy in real life. It’s really heavy, heavier than I expected.”

Thomas reckons Albion will make it to the fifth round of the cup with victory over high-flying Arsenal on Sunday at The Amex.

If the Seagulls do make it to the final, the youngster hopes to come out with his favourite player – Kazenga LuaLua.

Thomas, who plays football for Lindfield, said: “I think Brighton will win 1-0 on Sunday and then hopefully they can get to Wembley.

“It would be a dream come true.”

Dad Peter said: “His mum and I are really pleased for him. We couldn’t believe it. His mum helped him enter the competition on the weekend and then the FA called the very next da. It was all really quick.”

He then joked: “Only one of us can accompany him to Wembley so we’ll see how that works out.”