A former Wanderers star dubbed ‘Twinkle Toes’ by legendary team mate Nat Lofthouse has celebrated his 80th birthday

Brian Riley, who turned out for the Whites in their famous sides of the 1950s marked notching up his eight decade with a special bash surrounded by his family and friends.

The former outside left, who now has dementia, showed he hadn’t lost his old touch as he gamely headed and kicked a football for the cameras at Lever Edge Care Home, in Great Lever.

A room at the home was specially decked out with balloons, banners and bunting, while guests tucked into food and enjoyed some party tunes.

But Mr Riley’s highlight appeared to be when footage of The Whites 1957-58 FA Cup winning side appeared on the screen.

He cheered, raised an arm in the air goal-celebration style and said: “The best, the best there was.”

And with the help of his daughter, Anne Bennett, he was able to regale partygoers with some stories from his career.

One centred around the time Wanderers took on Russian side CDSA Moscow At Burnden Park in 1957.

The great-grandfather, who comes from Deane, told the room: “They were very, very good but we kicked-off and it wasn’t all flowers and roses for them because we were playing the better.

“I thought I was playing quite well and Nat Lofthouse as well. Half time came and we were five in front. They couldn’t get to grips with us, the Russians.”

Mr Riley also reeled off the names of several old team mates, including Eddie Hopkinson, Roy Hartle and Ralph Gubbins, saying they were ‘all good players’

It was from this game that Nat Lofthouse began calling him ‘Twinkle Toes’ – due to his nippy play - having previously given him the nickname Hank Riley.

Another highlight of Mr Riley’s career was setting up Nat Lofthouse’s 200th league goal at Burnden Park, on his debut against Sheffield Wednesday.

He also lined up against Manchester United’s Busby Babes shortly before the Munich air tragedy.

His one goal in eight first team appearances came in a 3-1 win against Birmingham City at St Andrews, in April 1959.

Mr Riley left Wanderers in 1959 after signing in 1956 and went to play for Weymouth and then Buxton.

While at Buxton he was badly injured during a game and was forced to retire from football after 10 years in the game. The injury was so severe he wore a calliper for two years and it was feared he wouldn’t walk again.

He went on to retrain as an electrician and worked for D Havilland, and Chloride Motive Power.

Mrs Bennett said: “I’m so proud that after the injury, which was a terrible time for him because he was football mad, he was besotted with football, he dreamed about it all his life.

“But he had responsibilities for three children, me, Christopher and Stephen and he had to change over.”

His son, Christopher added: “It was an achievement to be a professional , there are more about now, there are more academies and more opportunities. But for somebody to come up and make the grade in such a difficult environment – and he was only small, 5’5”.

“Nat Lofthouse remembered him and it was nice to be remembered because he was a real legend.”