A junior football team awards ceremony was attended by former Bolton Wanderers and England manager Sam Allardyce.
He was on hand to present medals and trophies to the junior players of Turton Tigers, as the Trotters’ legendary manager joined the 260 kids at the UniBol Premier Suite on Sunday.
Big Sam also took the time to have photographs taken with the players, as well as their just-as-giddy parents.
Turton Tigers’ head of juniors Mark Edgar said: “It was fantastic – there were over 700 people there in total.
“We’ve got an association with Sam – his grandson plays for one of our teams and Craig Allardyce, Sam’s son, manages the first team.
“It was great to have him down and give them the opportunity to be starstruck.
“The adults love it too – there were probably just as many photos with kids as there were with adults.
"It's interesting becuase the kids know him as the England manager and that adults know him more as the Bolton manager."
The Tigers have undergone a transformation with regards to their junior setup in recent years.
Just 12 years ago, Mr Edgar explained, there were no junior teams under their banner at all and now they boast 21.
“That’s a real achievement for the club and everyone involved,” Mr Edgar said.
“All the volunteers.
“It was a real honour to have Sam there, and it raises the profile of the club.”
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