THERE were birthday celebrations all round at the Reebok on Saturday as fans marked the stadium's 10th anniversary.

A team of Wanderers fans who shared their special day with the Whites' home ground led Sammy Lee's side onto the pitch to face the same visitors who provided the opposition at its very first game.

And not even the last-minute winner which gave Everton a 2-1 win could spoil the party for the lucky youngsters who met their idols.

Five of the mascots were born the very day of the opening game at the Reebok, when the Merseysiders held Wanderers to a 0-0 draw, and were chosen for the role after an appeal in The Bolton News.

Mascot Benjamin Salmon, who was 10 on Saturday, said: "This is the best birthday present ever. I come to all the home games with my dad and I've always wanted to be a mascot.

"I felt very nervous and excited walking out of on the pitch. I've asked my dad to video Match of the Day in case I'm on TV."

Brandon Melia, who was also celebrating his 10th birthday said: "I've not been to many games so this is a really exciting day. Walking out with all the players is great. It's nice to meet other people who share my birthday."

The club provided all 22,000 supporters who attended the match with a commemorative cheer roller' - a banner featuring ten of the club's biggest stars from the past decade, including Jay-Jay Okocha, Kevin Nolan and El Hadji Diouf. In return, scores of fans observed the club's 10th anniversary dresscode by wearing Whites shirts from years gone by.

Eileen Riding, of Ladybridge, who was there with her husband Arnold and their eight-year-old grandson Jordan, said: "Arnold's been a season ticket holder since the Burnden days.

"This is a special celebration to be part of so we thought we'd dig out the old shirts and join in with the fun."