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A dream came true for a brave nine-year-old boy who has battled through 15 brain operations when he met his Everton FC heroes.

Blues fans Kyle and Denver Fay were treated to the VIP experience at Goodison Park for the Toffees’ cup clash with Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.

Denver, 9, has been fighting illness with loyal brother Kyle, 10, at his side - and they have raised money for 10 different charities this year.

Denver suffers from hydrocephalus and chiari malformation. This means that the lower part of his brain was pushed down towards his spinal column. He has been in and out of hospital for the past two years.

The brothers got to meet their heroes and were introduced to the crowd before the game started.

Mum Laura surprised the boys with the news on Christmas Day - and filmed their faces as they turned from shock to tears of happiness.

On the day they were filmed as they were introduced to the Goodison Park crowd as “two absolute Everton heroes” and were told: “All these people are clapping you here, and you deserve it.”

The boys had shirts signed by Everton stars like Ross Barkley , and got photographed with the first team as they arrived to the stadium.

When asked how Denver is doing following his operations, Laura told the Goodison faithful that her son was “really good - he plays football six days a week!”

Overcoming their nerves when meeting Phil Jagielka , the cheeky pair asked him who his best friend at the club was and who was longest in the shower.

The Everton captain handed them a signed football before telling them: “Don’t kick that around the house or you will get me in trouble!”

The boys were overwhelmed after going on the pitch - with both brothers burying their faces in Laura’s jacket as she started to cry.

She said: “We’ll remember this for a long time.”