The England team are used to being idolised as heroes by young football fans across the country.
But the boot was on the other foot when Pride of Britain winner Dylan Graves met the team ahead of their World Cup qualifying match against Scotland tomorrow.
Dylan, 12, was named a child of courage at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Award, in partnership with TSB, after pushing his pal James Yeadon out of the path of a runaway car and taking the full force of the impact himself.
He suffered two shattered vertebrae in his spine, a fractured pelvis, and broken ribs after he was dragged under the driverless Vauxhall Vectra and trapped when it hit a fence.
At the awards at London’s Grosvenor House hotel last week, an excited Dylan was invited to England training by former stars Phil Neville and Jamie Redknapp , after receiving his award from singers Olly Murs and Louis Tomlinson .
And football fanatic Dylan was given a hero’s welcome at the national football centre at St George’s Park in Burton on Trent.
As the players finished training they made a beeline for Dylan on the touchline to shake his hand, sign his football, and pose for photographs.
Wayne Rooney was so impressed by Dylan’s bravery he even took off his boots – which are made specially for the Manchester United striker and have his initials and an England flag embossed on the side – and handed them to the starstruck youngster.
Wayne told Dylan: “I wish I had a friend like you. Everyone could use a friend like that.”
Meanwhile Spurs midfielder Eric Dier and Manchester City defender John Stones insisted on coming out of the gym, where they were completing a special training programme, to meet Dylan and congratulate him on his award.
England manager Gareth Southgate said: “Well done Dylan, that’s an incredible thing you did taking one for the team like that.” He then pointed to the mementos Dylan had been given and said “It sounds like you thoroughly deserve these.”
Meeting the England team and getting a tour of the national football centre was particularly special for Dylan as he has not been able to kick a football since the accident.
He has also been forced to stop boxing, which is his favourite hobby, and missed eight weeks of school while he recovered. He is still rebuilding his strength, though he is getting better all the time, and insists he would still “do it again” if he saw his friend in trouble.
Dylan, from Bradford, said: “It was really exciting to meet the England team, especially Wayne Rooney as I’m a Manchester United fan and he’s my favourite player.
“I can’t believe he gave me his boots and a signed shirt. We’re going to get them put in a special display case. I’d like to put it in my bedroom, but I think my mum will want it in the living room.
“It has been such an amazing day. I didn’t expect anything like this when I pushed James out of the way of that car. I just wanted to protect my friend.
“All my friends were really impressed that I got to meet David Haye , Amir Khan , and David Hasselhoff at the Pride of Britain Awards and were jealous of me coming to see the England team.”
Dylan has also been given two tickets to watch England play Spain at Wembley on Tuesday night.
He plans to take his dad Alex, who also joined him at St George’s Park.
Alex said: “We are really looking forward to the match. Dylan has never been to Wembley before, so it’s going to be very special walking up Wembley Way together. It will be the perfect way to round off a memorable couple of weeks since Dylan won this award.”