HE plays Premiership football and has rubbed shoulders - often quite violently - with some of the greatest players of modern times.

But, like many a professional, Mike Whitlow is still a fan at heart and just can not stop himself when it comes to claiming the shirts of his selected heroes.

But there is one missing from his prized collection - the shirt worn by the player whose wholehearted approach has been his inspiration down the years.

"My idols were always Glenn Hoddle and Kenny Dalglish but as a person I followed Stuart Pearce more than most," he says in awe of the former Nottingham Forest and England left-back, now on the coaching staff at Manchester City.

"When I was younger Stuart was the player I looked up to most in my position. He trained with us at Leicester a long, long time ago when he was at Forest and coming back from injury. I got his autograph and now I want his shirt.

"I just admire the route he came through and how well he did. He was not the most subtle person in the world but his determination made him what he was."

Whitlow hopes to add a Pearce shirt to his collection when City come to the Reebok in April, with a little help from Wanderers' technical analyst Matt Hockin, who used to be on the backroom staff at Maine Road.

"When we played Everton Matt wanted Alan Stubbs' shirt so I told him I'd do a deal, I'd get him Stubbsy's shirt if he got me Stuart Pearce's ... I'm still waiting but, hopefully, when we play City it will be sorted."

Whitlow will not stop collecting shirts as long as there are good causes to help.

In addition his own private collection, donated by his team-mates - Gudni Bergsson, Ricardo Gardner, Per Frandsen, Jussi Jaaskelainen - and former Wanderers' favourites Mark Fish and Bob Taylor, ("they're players I've crossed the line and played with"), he has picked up a couple for his sons. "I got Emile Heskey's for my youngest, Ryan, and Robbie Elliott's for my boy Nathan because he's mad on Robbie.

"I got a few for 'Super' Bob Taylor's tesimonial but this year I've started swapping them on the pitch. I've already given six or seven to charity but there's always going to be other charities who can use them to raise a few quid."

Players have to pay for replacements when they swap their shirts but it's still a common practice, except for the odd club that doesn't play ball - like Manchester united.

"I've only ever been knocked back by Mikael Sylvestre," Whitlow explains. "United don't do it and I can understand why. But Mikael promised me he'd send me a shirt and he did - a signed shirt with a note saying 'As promised!'

"It was fantastic. We are all kids at heart."