A football fan from Colne is living the dream as he mingles with England squad stars in Rio de Janeiro.
Dave O Donnell (29), of Hill Lane, is currently staying in the same hotel as the top footballing talents, which is located in front of the idyllic Copacabana beach.
The assistant manager of Colne’s DFS store is being given full celebrity treatment, and has used the once in a lifetime opportunity to have his photograph taken with World Cup legends, including midfielder Frank Lampard and manager Roy Hodgson.
Dave, a Burnley FC fan and former Fisher More School student, is enjoying the trip with a few of his Australian friends, and is now looking forward to the first England game against Italy in Manaus on Saturday.
His mum Karen (54) said: “He is living the dream at the moment - it was on his wish list to do.
“He has been sending me the pictures, and putting them on Facebook. He has been looking forward to it immensely.”
At the first England game, Dave will be displaying a flag in memory of his friend Scott Thompson (27), who was killed in Australia in February when his quad bike was in collision with a lorry.
Dave will return to the UK next Friday, where he will be watching the rest of the tournament.
