Wanderers fan Robert Atherton has not lost his hunger to see them succeed in 80 years as a supporter.

For even after years of following the club through highs and lows, he still gets so disappointed when they lose that he cannot face his evening meal.

The 86-year-old, who lives in Atherton, said: "When they lost I used to go home and not want any tea. And I'm still like that.

"I'm upset when they drop points, especially the way they've been playing lately, where they've let in goals in the last few minutes."

Mr Atherton has a treasure trove of memories, including league and FA Cup triumphs.

And he shared those memories as he was presented with a signed photograph of club legend Nat Lofthouse in recognition of his lifelong support.

Mr Atherton reflected on the dramatic changes in football since the Lofthouse era -- when all the players came from the town and surrounding areas -- to today's cosmopolitan set-up, with the Wanderers squad including a Nigerian, a Jamaican, a Finn, an Icelander and a Spaniard.

"It's a league of nations now," he said. "There's nothing like your home-made town team. We used to take such pride in that, but it's still great to see Wanderers in the top division."

Mr Atherton witnessed some of Wanderers' most glorious days, including the inter-war years when the club won the FA Cup three times.

He cited the 1929 FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth at Wembley as his personal highlight, and picked out inside right Ray Westwood, who scored 144 goals in 333 appearances for the club, as his favourite player of all time.

But he also seen some dark days, none darker than the Burnden Park tragedy in March 1946, when 33 people were killed in a terrace crush.

He said: "I'm a Dunkirk veteran and I'd just been demobbed a week when the disaster occurred.

"I was on the ground under the scoreboard and I saw it happen. It was very disturbing."

Goldline lottery agent Preston Thomas, aged 70, of Freshfield Avenue, Atherton, arranged for the club to provide the signed photograph when he realised Mr Atherton, who is one of his customers, had reached his 80th anniversary as a fan.

Wanderers promotions manager Andrew Dean said: "It's fantastic really that we have supporters like this. These people are the heart of the club and it's a pleasure to give them that little bit extra."