IN his day, Sam Allardyce used to knock the stuffing out of some of the biggest and best strikers in the game.

So it was no surprise to see him knocking the wind out of Tommy Horridge's sails when he turned up on his doorstep with two season tickets - courtesy of the Wanderers.

"My legs went right weak," lifelong fan Tommy said as he got his breath back.

"He's a big lad is Sam. I remember years ago when I met Brian London, the old heavyweight boxer - you don't think these lads are as big as they are.

"Meeting him is terrific, getting the tickets is fantastic. I'd have been at the game anyway this weekend - I've always been a fan and I've always gone to the games."

Tommy - a retired NCB and Norweb worker of Middlebrook Drive, Lostock - was a regular season ticket holder until what he calls "an unfortunate incident" last year when his regular seat at the Reebok was sold to another fan. "I'd left it late," he recalls. "I was offered another seat but I was so disappointed I didn't bother.

"I still went to the games though with my son, David, just like I used to do with my dad during the war. I went for the first time in 1943!"

Tommy's wife, Frances was in on the surprise after her husband's name was selected at random from the Wanderers' database - the second time this summer that they have pulled the doorstep stunt.

"She told me a parcel was being delivered," he explained. "But I never expected this.

"I'm chuffed I've met Sam. He's got a difficult job on his hands but he's got the right spirit and he deserves to do well."