HE was only four years old when his mum died of cancer.

Now, just three years later, Hampshire schoolboy Chad Ricketts is having to live with the fact that his dad has also developed the disease.

The local community has rallied round after learning of the pair's plight and, in a dream come true, eight year- old Chad became Bashley FC's mascot when they won 4-3 against Team Bath.

The soccer-mad schoolboy met all the players and was given a Bashley FC shirt, which he wears virtually all the time.

Chad was devastated when his mum Dara died just three days before his fifth birthday. Now his dad Mike is battling cancer of the lymph nodes.

Mr Ricketts, 51, of Chestnut Road, Brockenhurst, said: "Children are very resilient and Chad is being very brave.

"Obviously he's worried about where he will go if anything happens to me, but I'm currently in remission and there's an 80 per cent chance I'll be OK."

Chad and his father started attending support sessions staged by the child bereavement charity Simon Says after Dara died in 2005 aged 47. The organisation heard about the schoolboy's passion for football and arranged his visit to Bashley FC.

An article about Chad in the match programme included a cheeky reference to his sporting hero, Cristiano Ronaldo. The Old Trafford star played for Portugal in the 2006 World Cup tournament and influenced Wayne Rooney's sending off by complaining to the referee.

The article said: "Chad supports Manchester United and his fave player is Ronaldo. He also plays tag-rugby and has done a bit of acting - just like Ronaldo then!"

Mr Ricketts said: "Chad loved his evening with Bashley. He met all the players and was given a load of goodies.

"They're lovely blokes at Bashley - it's a wonderful club."

Chad said: "I was given a Bashley FC shirt and got the players to sign my programme, but the best bit was when Bashley scored the winning goal."

Peter Millard, Bashley's football secretary, said: "We were delighted to host Chad and his father. We take pride in being a familyfriendly club and supporting charities such as Simon Says who do such great work in the community."

Chad is a pupil at Durlston Court School, Barton-on-Sea. He is captain of the school's Under-8 football team and also turns out for Sway Juniors.

Mr Ricketts added: "Chad was devastated when his mum died but has coped very well. I'm sure that football has helped - it's his passion."