A SCHOOL BOY could not believe his luck when he saw his face on a FA Cup final ticket that had been handed out to more than 88,000 fans.

Wanstead High School student Davis Watson is a loyal Leyton Orient fan and has not missed a single home game since his father David first took him to see them play three years ago.

So when Crystal Palace faced Manchester United in the FA Cup final earlier this month, the 12-year-old did not think much of it, as his team had already been booted out in the second round.

But after friends started sending Mr Watson messages saying Davis’ picture was on the cup final tickets, the father and son started to pay more of an interest.

The 58-year-old, of Colvin Gardens, Wanstead, said: “My friend told me he thought Davis’ face was on the cup final ticket, and the first thing I said was ‘no way, that’s impossible.

“But sure enough, there he was – I was stunned, I had no idea.”

Mr Watson said, unbeknownst to the both of them, an east London photographer called Emmanuel Cole had gone round photographing fans at several of the cup matches.

Davis had been captured by the snapper at Leyton Orient’s second round cup game against Staines in November last year and had then been chosen as one of the photos to be featured on the final ticket.

Mr Watson added: “It’s the first time fans have been featured on tickets in the history of the FA Cup.

“Davis is so proud, he’s showed every member of our family and couldn’t wait to go to school this week to tell all his friends.”