WHEN Gudni Bergsson threw his training top to 11-year-old Wanderers fanatic Jessica Wiggans she thought she had a memento to keep for the rest of her life.

The soccer star hurled the shirt towards his fan with the intention of her catching it.

But before Jessica could get hold of the popular defender's top someone jumped in front of her and snatched it before running off.

Jessica, a season-ticket holder at the Reebok, watched helpless with her dad Mark and brother Aston as the man disappeared into the crowd arriving for the club's crucial end of season game against Middlesborough.

Gudni promised Jessica his shirt after she had left her seat in the East Stand to reach the side of the pitch to chat to players and get her programme signed.

She approached Gudni -- her favourite player -- for his training top as he was warming up before kick off. He promised to give it to her before he went back to the changing rooms.

But as the 38-year-old threw his shirt to Jessica a man of about 30 grabbed it and ran off.

Jessica said: "I asked Gudni for his top because it was the end of the season. He said that I could have it before he went back to change."

"He came to throw it to me but a man reached up and caught it before me. Gudni saw what he did and shouted after him but the man just ran off and out of the back of the stand.

"I was really upset about it -- I couldn't believe what he had done."

The Whites went on to win 2-1 to secure their Premiership status for another season which, Jessica said, was a consolation.

"It was brilliant that the Wanderers stayed up and I know they'll do better next season but that man nearly ruined the day," says Jessica, a pupil at St Mary's School in Horwich.

Dad Mark, a season ticket holder for over 15 years, was shocked at the man's behaviour.

"It's even more disappointing because it was Gudni's last game at the club and he has been Jessica's favourite player for a couple of years.The guy knows what he has done and he knows that it was wrong."