Youngsters will be gunning for the chance to be a mascot at the big Arsenal versus Boreham Wood match in a new Boreham Wood Football Club competition.

Managers at The Wood have teamed up with the Borehamwood & Elstree Times to give a lucky boy or girl the chance to be a Wood mascot on August 3, when Arsenal IX will play against Boreham Wood in a pre-season friendly.

The competition also involves 11 Borehamwood schools, the town council, Pinnacle Insurance, Tesco Stores and the club, each of whom can choose one person to be a mascot at the match, and go out onto the pitch with the teams.

Entrants must be aged five to 11 years, and will go out onto the pitch before kick off, at 7.45pm on Tuesday, August 3.

To enter the competition write, in no more than 50 words, and say why in your opinion Arsenal are the best team in England. Include your name, school, age, telephone number and parents' names. Write to Boreham Wood FC Mascot Competition, Borehamwood & Elstree Times, 1 Drayton Road, Borehamwood WD6 2DA.

Tickets for the big game, sure to be in big demand, are already on sale at Boreham Wood Football Club in Broughinge Road. For bookings call 020 8953 5097.

The Gunners have agreed to bring the Premiership trophy with them.

"Arsenal have agreed to parade the Premiership trophy around Meadow Park, which is great for the fans," said Wood manager Ian Allinson, adding: "Arsenal Ladies will also parade their league championship and FA Cup trophies.

"It will make for a wonderful evening's entertainment for all the family and we anticipate a full house," he said.

Allinson is happy that the friendly will provide a good test for his newly strengthened side which will be chasing promotion next season.