Campaigners bid to make brave Jake City's Wembley mascot (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Campaigners bid to make brave Jake City's Wembley mascot

7:00am Saturday 26th January 2013 in News

Thousands of well-wishers have backed a Facebook campaign to get brain tumour boy Jake Turton chosen as Bradford’s City’s Wembley mascot.

The nine-year-old Bantams fan from Northowram made the headlines locally and nationally earlier this week when City skipper Gary Jones spotted him in the cheering crowd after the club's historic cup semi-final victory over Aston Villa – and gave him his sweaty shirt as well as a big kiss on his head.

Less than 12 hours after the ‘Get Jake Turton to lead Bradford City out at Wembley’ Facebook campaign hit the internet it had more than 4,000 ‘likes’.

Jake’s dad, Andy, said: “It’s unbelievable. Mates at work told me about the Facebook page. We’re overwhelmed that it’s getting so many likes. It would be an absolute dream if it happens but we’ll have to wait and see.

“Jake has been full of it since getting Gary’s shirt and making the headlines but he’s not letting fame go to his head.”

Jones had recognised the youngster as being among the mascots who accompanied the team out for the semi final home leg at Valley Parade on January 8.

Bosses at Bradford City had tried to get Jake to be their mascot at Villa Park as well, but he was not old enough.

However, Steve Hawthorn-Emmett, who is City’s sales and marketing executive, said they were keeping their fingers-crossed it might happen for the Wembley match on Sunday, February 24.

“We are aware of the Facebook campaign but we’re governed by what the Football League says. They tell us what we can and can’t do about mascots, whether there are age restrictions and how many we can have – that kind of thing. There is a meeting happening in London so we should know by Monday.”