Bolton Wanderers are delighted to welcome back Jimmy Oliver to the Reebok Stadium on Saturday afternoon as a special guest for the Premier League match with Liverpool.

The nine-year-old and his family will be returning only two-and-a-half weeks after their last visit when the Southport-based youngster was the mascot for the home fixture against Everton.

Jimmy, who suffers with a rare form of bone cancer, was handed a last minute surprise when he was told he would be leading out his beloved Toffees less than an hour before kick-off.

Fans Liaison Officer Tony Kelly helped arrange the special treat for the Evertonian, who unfortunately had to have a leg amputated because of his condition.

Jimmy met some of his footballing idols prior to kick-off before he led the two teams out and had his photo taken with both captains and the officials in the centre circle.

Mark Oliver, father of Jimmy, thanked the club for making it such a special day for his son and explained that he had no hesitations in accepting the offer to come back to the Reebok Stadium to show his gratitude.



Mark said: "I can't thank Bolton enough because it was all arranged at the last minute.

"Tony Kelly took us through to the tunnel area and told Jimmy that he has going meet a few players and he was actually going to be the mascot. He led the players out and it was such a touching moment and something that I will never forget.

"He had a few passes with Phil Neville and as he made his way down to the away end, he got a standing ovation from the Everton supporters. Tony Kelly was looking around the ground at the same time and he said that all the Bolton fans were applauding Jimmy too.

"We watched the game from a corporate box and the hospitality was fantastic, so Bolton Wanderers couldn't have been more helpful if they tried.

"We've been invited back to the Liverpool game this Saturday because Tony said that the club didn't get the chance to make a fuss of him on the evening.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, Bolton will be our second team and we hope they can beat Liverpool on Saturday for obvious reasons!"



Tony Kelly also expressed his satisfaction in helping Jimmy's dream come true.

"He's become my new best friend," said Kelly. "I told him that David Moyes had asked him to be the Everton mascot and the smile on his face said it all. He was so proud to do it, he had a great night and it helps me feel like my job is worthwhile.

"The boy deserved an evening like that after what he has been through and he is a role model to every other kid. He got a standing ovation by both sets of supporters and everyone took him to their hearts, so it says a lot about Bolton and Everton fans.

"Promotions Manager Andrew Dean, who played a major part in arranging it, got all the photographs developed and put them in special Bolton Wanderers frames. I took them to his house in Southport, had a kick around with him his back garden and it was a really touching moment."