THE victim of a street attack saw his dreams come true when police arranged for him to meet his footballing heroes.

Glen Morton, aged 59, from Halliwell, saw Bolton Wanderers training and met the team, thanks to police community support officer Mark Flannery.

Glen, who has the mental age of a child, suffered from a shattered cheekbone and two black eyes when he was attacked as he walked home on Saturday, November 19.

His sister Laura Morton said: "It's absolutely fantastic that he was able to meet the team. Glen goes to all the matches with me and my family, so he was just so excited."

Miss Morton, aged 43, of Bromley Cross, said the trip had helped Glen to get over the attack.

Mr Flannery approached manager Sam Allardyce after Glen had told him of his disappointment at missing one of the Wanderers' European matches because he had to go to hospital for treatment.

The officer said: "Sam lives on my beat, so I asked if he could get a Wanderers' shirt signed by the players for me to give to Glen and he said he could do better than that. He was great."

In addition to organising a signed shirt, Allardyce invited Glen to visit the team at their Euxton training ground.

The manager said: "When I heard about what had happened to Glen, I felt the least I could do was invite him to the training ground to meet some of his heroes.

It must have been a terrible time for him and his family. I just hope he had a good time while he was with us."

Glen was assaulted while walking home along Felton Walk, Halliwell. He had spent the evening at the PHAB (Physically Handicapped Able Bodied) Club at the Jubilee Centre.

Thomas McCrea, aged 21, of Hughes Street, Halliwell, and a 16-year-old who cannot be named have been charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm.