Arsenal fan has plenty to celebrate

IAN MACKERNESS will be on our Eurostar bound for the World Cup Finals after becoming Standard Sport's final Factual Football competition winner - and he's convinced he's on a real winning run, writes Michael Weinstein.

The administration officer for Hounslow Council will join more than 20 winners at the second-phase match between the winners of Group C and the runners-up in Group D in Lens on Sunday 28 June.

The success has given Ian, an Arsenal season-ticket holder for more than 20 years, something else to cheer. He is still celebrating the club's first Premiership title, he's going to the FA Cup Final against Newcastle on Saturday and will celebrate his 50th birthday on the same day he is convinced Arsene Wenger's men will seal the Double. "This is wonderful news," said Ian, from Twickenham. "This is a big week for me and this has really capped it. "I entered two teams for the final week of the competition and I really wanted to win. I went to a couple of matches in 1966 but haven't been to a World Cup match since then. I'm already looking forward to it." Ian and all our winners will board the Eurostar at Waterloo and their journey to France will include a light meal, entertainment and goodie bags. After the match which could be between hosts France from Group C, and either Spain or Bulgaria, from Group D they will be treated to a four-course meal at a local restaurant before the journey home. IAN'S TEAM: Brad Friedel, Stig Inge Bjornebye (both Liverpool), Tony Adams (Arsenal), Denis Irwin (Manchester United), Ian Pearce (West Ham), Marc Overmars (Arsenal), Nicky Butt (Manchester United), Eyal Berkovic, Steve Lomas (both West Ham), Paul Scholes (Manchester United), Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal).

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