Jamie Monteith

A community football coach had a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience when he carried the Olympic flame – before bringing the torch back to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal in the Community coach Jamie Monteith, 29, was one of 8,000 inspirational people chosen to carry the torch, and he finally had his moment in the sun on Friday in Essex.

He was selected for his tireless work helping to make a difference to youngsters in danger of falling on the wrong side of the law.

He leads Arsenal’s social inclusion programme, Kickz, in Elthorne Park, Archway, which works with kids referred by Islington Police.

Speaking ahead of his big day, he said: “I’m very humbled to have been nominated and selected to carry the Olympic torch to celebrate the games coming to London. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I carried it with the young people with whom we work in mind.”

Ivan Gazidis, Arsenal’s chief executive, said: “This is a wonderful tribute to Jamie and the work of the Arsenal in the Community team.”