Six-year-old forced to give up football leads out Cardiff City as surprise mascot

A six-year-old boy suffering from a neurological condition that forced him to give up playing sports has walked out with Cardiff City as their mascot.

Stanley was diagnosed with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) last year. The condition causes extra pressure on the brain which meant he had to give up playing football and all other sports.

After his team and coaches found out Stanley would have to quit the sport he loved, staff at Tondu United Football Club decided to surprise the Cardiff City fan.

Club secretary Joe Powton arranged for Stanley to walk out with Cardiff City as a mascot in their Premier League clash against Tottenham.

To make the gift extra special, Stanley had a surprise visit from Cardiff City's goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

Arriving at Stanley's house, the Cardiff City star surprised Stanley with football themed Christmas gifts and the news he was to be a mascot. Stanley walked out with the team on New Year's Day as they faced Tottenham.

Organisers say the surprise and Stanley's role as mascot has helped raise awareness for IIH and Stanley's story.