A POORLY Wanderers fan got the surprise of a lifetime when Neil Lennon visited him in hospital.

The Whites' manager paid a special visit to avid fan James Holcroft, who has spent the last 11 weeks at Manchester Children's Hospital after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

The 10-year-old, who was with his mother Karen and father David, was presented with a replica of the club’s new limited edition third shirt created to commemorate the Burnden Disaster, and had pictures taken with the manager.

Chorley-born James is a committed Wanderers supporter, and is a season ticket holder along with his father, sister and grandfather in the Nat Lofthouse Lower Stand.

The Wanderers mad youngster has his hospital room decorated with club memorabilia, including signed shirts and scarves, and was ready for the manager's arrival as he was already wearing a Wanderers kit.

Lennon said: “It was great to meet James and his family.

“It’s a difficult time for everyone concerned and James is showing great courage.

“He’s a credit to his family and obviously being a big Bolton fan, he’s very much part of the Bolton Wanderers family.

“We continue to send him our well wishes and we hope to see him up at the training ground and back at Macron Stadium soon.”

James's father David paid tribute to the club for arranging a visit from the manager, and said it was a dream come true for their son.

He said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. I can’t thank Neil and club enough for what they’ve done. It means so much to us. We can't put it in words.

“What James has gone through is not something you’d wish upon anyone. It has been wonderful to see all of our community come together and we really appreciate the support.”

James and his family have raised money through fundraising events to sponsor a room at Ronald McDonald House Manchester, which provides home-away-from-home accommodation for families with children in hospital.