TOP scout James Durkin could barely believe his own eyes.

There he was . . . standing proudly on the old Trafford soccer stage surrounded by a golden group of soccer legends.

Bobby Charlton, Nat Lofthouse: they were all there, still in sombre silence as the clock struck 3.04pm and they remembered the Busby Babes of 1958, the victims of the Munich Air Disaster.

For James those heroes are part of the cherished history of his favourite team.

For James, Saturday was the day he met his own soccer hero - United and England midfielder David Beckham.

The 11-year-old was the official mascot for Manchester United's derby clash with Bolton Wanderers.

The emotion-charged match, played 40 years and one day after the Munich tragedy, honoured the men who died that grim and frozen February day.

Wreaths were laid, the crowd maintained a dignified silence, the memories flooded back.

And James, of Cranleigh Drive, Astley, remained hushed as he stood in the midst of history. Then came the joy as he was introduced to Beckham and had his picture taken (right) with his famous sporting idol.

Earlier he had led out United for the match, which ended 1-1, in front of 55,000 fans at Old Trafford - a crowd which included proud parents Eamonn and Pauline.

The youngster, a pupil at Holy Family RC in Boothstown, joined in the pre-match kickabout and met the match officials.

Away from football, James, who has battled against cerebral palsy for many years, is one of the top scouts in the North West.

A sixer with the Holy Family 4th Tyldesley Cubs, he has achieved 20 performance badges.

Scout Commissioner Malcolm Bell said: "His disability does not stop James from any activity. He runs, climbs mountains, canoes, swims and plays in the school football team."

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