Hereford FC cleared to parade bull called Hawkesbury Ronaldo at Wembley

Crowds at Wembley will witness an unusual footballing sight when Ronaldo is paraded at the ground ahead of a minor league final.

A Hereford bull which shares the name of the Portuguese professional will visit the London venue ahead of the FA Vase final on Sunday.

The five-year-old beast, whose full name is Hawkesbury 1 Ronaldo, is the mascot for the newly formed Hereford FC who will be playing Morpeth Town.

Hereford FC chairman Jon Hale said having Ronaldo, who weighs 1,200kg, join the team and the fans is a "big moment", as is the club playing at Wembley for the first time.

The FA has given the club, also known as the Hereford Bulls, permission for the animal owned by Westons Cider to join them before the match and be paraded for 30 minutes.

Mr Hale said Ronaldo has been present at a few of their games this season,adding:

Around 19,000 Hereford FC fans will be joining their team and their mascot at Wembley for the match. The club, who are in the ninth tier of English football, formed last year after Hereford United was dissolved.

Ronaldo is being driven down to the capital in a specially protected cattlewagon ahead of the game.