A young Ukrainian refugee forced to flee the war in his homeland was a special guest at a football match on Saturday.

Daniel Lysak, who along with mother Yana is being hosted by a Folkestone family, was invited to attend Folkestone Invicta's home pre-season friendly against League Two outfit Gillingham.

The 12-year-old, who is now attending Folkestone Academy, was previously given the chance to lead out the Gillingham team before a match at Priestfield in the spring.

Malcolm Bell, whose family in Folkestone have taken in Daniel and his mum, is a Gillingham fan and says the Ukrainian youngster has been enjoying his first experiences of live football.

Daniel was given the chance, along with Malcolm's son Joseph, to join the pre-match warm up on the pitch at Cheriton Road.

Invicta's Neil Pilcher, who helped arrange the visit, said: "When Folkestone Invicta arranged the pre-season game with Gillingham, I remembered that last season there was a story on KentOnline concerning Daniel Lysak and how he escaped the horrors of Ukraine and moved to Folkestone.

"As he lived in Folkestone and his sponsor family were Gillingham supporters, although I’ve since found out they also watch the Invicta games, I thought it would be nice to invite them to the game.

"It would allow them to meet up with the Invicta players and renew acquaintances with those they had met previously when they visited the Priestfield Stadium.

"So, we were delighted when Daniel plus Malcolm Bell and his son Joseph, came to the game.

"I think they enjoyed their afternoon, and they are going to come back and see us again sometime during the season."