The seven-year-old avid Sunderland AFC fan's lifelong dream has come true as he is crowned the winner of the Echo's Mascot competition.

And Jonathon is so pleased that he has ordered his dad, also called Jonathon, to phone Santa and tell him not to bring any presents this year because he has now got everything he wants.

Jonathon will lead the Black Cats out on to the pitch at the Stadium of Light for Boxing Day's clash with Everton.

"He was gobsmacked when we told him," Andrea, of Tunstall Grange, said.

"He went running round the house like a looney and it's all he can talk about."

"We told him it was on Boxing Day and he said "tell my dad to phone Santa because I don't need Christmas presents now I'm doing this"."

When Andrea read about the competition in the Echo, she knew she had to put forward her football mad son.

"I truly believe my little man deserves such a special privilege. Jonathon is such an avid fan. He goes to every match and quite frankly eats, sleeps and breathes Sunderland."

Little Jonathon, whose favourite players are Darren Bent and Kenwyne Jones, is a lifelong fan and his passion has almost managed to persuade his Dad, who is from Oldham and supports his local team, to swap sides.

Andrea, 27, said: "He's always supported Sunderland his dad doesn't but his grandad and cousins and uncles all do and they all go to the home matches. He's almost managed to convert his dad.

"This is the best thing that could ever have happened to him. He's wanted to do this for so long and I felt so frustrated that it's one thing I can never give him.

"This is a once in a lifetime chance and I can't express how grateful we are."

Hill View Infant School pupil Jonathon's walk onto the pitch with Black Cats players on Boxing Day will be watched by his sister Lucy, three, his parents, grandparents and other family members.

"I will probably cry when I see him, we're just so proud."

The Echo's Mascot competition has been sponsored by Sunderland's Thompson Building Centres, who are also sponsoring the match.