SHAKERS "superfan" Gordon Sorfleet will be missing when his team takes on Nationwide League minnows Boston United on Saturday.

Instead, the club's website manager will be "lording" it in Monte Carlo alongside soccer millionaires Pele, Ronaldo and Zidane.

EUFA are rolling out the red carpet for 38-year-old Gordon after naming him "Europe's Biggest Fan", his reward for helping to save the cash-starved Gigg Lane club.

On Thursday, VIP Gordon and his wife, Christine, jetted-off to a swanky dinner in Monaco where he was to receive his accolade from Brazilian soccer legend Pele.

Over the past year, the former sailor has helped raise £60,000 via the club's Internet site, vital funding that has helped to keep the Shakers afloat.

"I've never won anything in my life before so this is extra special," said Gordon. "My mouth dropped when I read the letter. I thought there had been a misprint. But this honour is as much for the fans as me. No one person kept our club alive over the past few months and everyone who helped has a claim on the award."

UEFA top brass spotted Gordon and heard about his money-raising ideas in a news piece on French television and immediately marked him down for the award.

The accolade was to be presented to him at the Sporting Club of Monte Carlo before he and his wife headed off to the Salle Des Etoiles restaurant for a sumptuous dinner, sharing a table with Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo, Portugal's Luis Figo and France's Zinadine Zidane!

"I'm taking two Brazil shirts over for Pele to sign and hope to bring back plenty more memorabilia to auction for the club," added Gordon, a father-of-four.

Tonight, the couple are guests at the European Super Cup final at the Stad Louis II in Monaco for Feyenoord against Real Madrid.