The footballer spoke to a group of children at Much Woolton Primary School(Image: EMMA SIMPSON)

A group of school children were stunned after an Everton FC player made a surprise visit to their Woolton school for World Book Day.

Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was smuggled into Much Woolton Primary School today (Thursday, March 5) to read an extract from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to a blindfolded group of seven-to-11-year-olds, who are part of the Club’s School Supporters’ Club programme. Children taking part in the secret reader sessions listen to a story being read, then use clues and ask questions to guess the reader's identity, fostering listening skills and reading engagement at a crucial chapter in their lives.

Dewsbury-Hall answered that his favourite place in the city was Hill Dickinson Stadium and his favourite colour was blue. Once he confirmed that his favourite sweets were toffees, and his uniform was a football kit, excitement levels rose.

When the royal blue blindfolds were finally removed, the young students – all Evertonians from across the school – were overjoyed to see one of their Toffees’ heroes playing the main character in their gripping...