Let's Back Zac: Magical day for brave youngster and family as he is AFC Telford's match mascot

The team not only managed to play to victory in the FA Cup qualifier on Saturday, but gave a very special day to brave four-year-old Zac Oliver and his family.

And whether on the pitch or off it, the team made it more than clear that their match was all about Zac.

The youngster has a very rare form of childhood leukaemia, called Near Haploid, and needs to travel to the US for treatment unavailable on the NHS.

His family and friends need to raise £500,000 to get to Philadelphia for the CAR-T therapy, and they are organising a ‘wear red for Zac’ day to take place on September 28.

But today AFC Telford invited Zac to act as the team's mascot, to go out onto the pitch with the players, and for the family to enjoy the game.

Zac's mother Hannah Oliver-Willets said that it had been a magical experience.

"It was absolutely fantastic," she said. "It was really nice to be able to do something exciting, where it doesn't involve anything medical or to do with the campaign. It was fun for the family.

"We really really appreciated it. They laid on this amazing afternoon tea with sandwiches and scones – they really did spoil us. It was pretty special. None of us were expecting it. We were just expecting Zac to be the mascot, but it was a day out for him and the family.

"It was magical. Zac really enjoyed it. He took to Gavin Cowan, the manager."

As the goals began to ramp up, the whole AFC Telford team made it clear who they were playing for.

• Anyone who wants to support the fundraising campaign should visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/zac-oliver

• Anyone donating is asked to make sure they post a picture of themselves wearing red on September 28 on Facebook or Twitter with the hastag #wearredforzac

• People can also join Zac's Facebook support page which is called 'Zachariah's's fight against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia'.

• People can also donate using their mobile phone by texting ZACH75 £1 to 70070.

"Daniel Udoh, when he scored the first goal, ran over and he shouted at us 'That was for you Zac'," Hannah said.

"And at the end of the game they all ran across to the family. It was absolutely fantastic. It was one of the best days we've had in long, long time.

"Zac literally did not stop all day. He played with the mascot, he went out onto the pitch with his Granddad, and he picked out the half-time prize draw. He has had an amazing day."

Matt Broadhurst took to the Zachariah's fight against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Facebook page after the match to congratulate his team for backing Zac.

"Always been proud of my football club but today even more so," he wrote. "Touch of class from the players going over to the family at full time. That win was for you Zac."

Luke Shelley, football secretary of AFC Telford United, said: "We are wanting to give Zac and his family a day to remember, despite the chemotherapy treatment he's going though.

""We also hope the day will help raise awareness for the family, anything we can do to help."

People are being asked to wear red and donate £1 to the campaign on Friday, as well as posting a picture of themselves on social media with the hashtag #wearredforzac.