Woodford Green postie won chance to play football at Wembley

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A Woodford Green postman won the chance to play football at Wembley after winning a radio phone-in contest

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A WOODFORD Green postman won the chance to join the ranks of footballing legends, stepping onto the pitch at Wembley over the weekend.

Lucky football fan Gary Coulson, 39, of Broomhill Road, enjoyed a stint as goalkeeper during a half-time penalty shoot out at England's friendly against Slovenia, following a competition win.

Mr Coulson said: “It was amazing – I won VIP tickets to Wembley for the match and that included getting onto the pitch at half-time.”

The Royal Mail driver won a phone-in contest, sponsored by Nationwide building society, on Alan Brazil’s breakfast show on talkSPORT radio.

He texted in to qualify and was then quizzed live on air, gaining two right answers out of three, before seeing off another contestant in a tie-breaker.

He said: “They asked what the combined attendances were for the last ever match at the old Wembley and the FA cup final at the new one Mr Coulson, a keen Arsenal fan and regular five-a-side player, stopped five out of nine penalties.

He also got the chance to hobnob with ex-England footballers Trevor Francis and Gary Maddock and enjoy a three-course meal.

The father-of-two said: “I took my wife and she really appreciated it. She thoroughly enjoyed herself.

“It was really the most amazing day of my life.”

And Mr Coulson began his lucky streak the week before with another competition win through talkSPORT.

He said: “I went to Newmarket, courtesy of talkSPORT – I won a day at the races and an overnight stay in a four-star hotel.

“I'd like to think it's judgement but really, it's just pure luck – it's just whether you get through or not.”

England will face Croatia next in the hope of securing their place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.