A 60-year-old man turned out as a mascot for his favourite football team after being "stitched up" by his mates for his birthday. "

Mark Bond walked out onto the pitch alongside child mascots when non-league Hereford FC took on AFC Flyde in the FA Trophy.

He was treated to the surprise for his 60th birthday - giving him the chance to tread the "hallowed" Edgar Street turf on Saturday (10/1)."

Mark strode out onto the field with the first team, who he was taller than, including forward Andy Williams, who refused to hold his hand.

The season ticket holder told how his pals royally stitched him up after believing he was just going to watch the game in a hospitality suite.

And he admitted feeling a "bit out of place" alongside pint-sized mascots who were all aged between seven and 11."

Mark, of Hereford, a magistrates court supervisor, said: "It was my birthday back in November and my mates said they had got me hospitality tickets. "

"However that particular game was called off so we met in a pub and had a bit of a cake and a few drinks and I thought nothing more of it. "

"Then at the weekend, the lads said they had sorted hospitality again so we went along only for me to be pulled out the crowd."

"The stadium announcer then did the whole birthday thing and said he had one more surprise for me."

"He told me I was going to be mascot for the game and revealed the kit for me with the number 60 on the back. "

"I had to get changed behind a wall and then walk out with the team - I think everyone wondered what on earth was going on. "

"I heard someone joke in the tunnel 'is that our new striker?'"

"Our real striker, I have actually played with his dad, turned around to me and said 'I'm not holding your hand'."

"That made me laugh - and was fine by me."

"There were four other mascots aged between seven and 11 and they looked as bemused as everyone else."

"It was quite awkward and embarrassing, but pretty funny, certainly for everyone else, and I got to tread the hallowed turf."

"I could hear my mates chanting my name from the stands."

"I felt like I'd been stitched up - but I was happy to go along with it."

"It's not me really, but it gave my friends a bit of a laugh."

However, to add insult to injury, Hereford lost 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes.