A LIFELONG Bolton Wanderers fan got a shock when he opened his front door to find the team's assistant manager standing there.

Phil Brown had gone to help Tom Tootell celebrate his 90th birthday, by presenting him with a special gift -- a season ticket for the Reebok Stadium.

Mr Tootell, of Smithills Dean Road, Bolton, has been a fan of the team since he was eight years old, and in his former role as police chief inspector, was responsible for crowd control at Burnden Park during the 1960s.

Mr Tootell's son, John, who lives in East Sussex, wrote to the club to tell them about his father's birthday.

While Mr Brown was there, Mr Tootell offered advice on how he could help manage the team better next season, and even named the entire Wanderers FA Cup final winning team from 1923.

Mr Tootell has been a season ticket holder for many years, and at first was not keen on the move from Burnden Park to the Reebok Stadium.

But now he loves to watch the Whites at the new ground and is looking forward to getting back in his seat next season.

He said: "It's very good of Phil Brown to put himself out. It's nice to see him and I'm looking forward to next season. Hopefully we'll stay in the top half of the table."