Carlisle United players Chris Lumsdon and Evan Horwood lay in wait for superfan Alan Carr when he visited the club shop at Brunton Park.

Mr Carr, a supporter for 63 years, spotted them when he visited with his daughter Nicola to select a present for his 70th birthday.

Then he discovered the Carlisle stars had turned up to congratulate him on being named the club's first Fan of the Month for the new season.

Mr Carr told football-league.co.uk:"It was a nice surprise and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Chris and Evan.

"We chatted about our chances this season and Chris went to the trouble of arranging for us to go on the pitch to have our photographs taken.

"It's great when players are happy to give up their time to meet the fans."

Mr Carr is a worthy winner. A retired train driver who lives near the ground in Warwick Road, Carlisle, has supported the club since he was taken to his first game by his parents at the age of seven.

He said:"I was delighted to receive this award because Carlisle have been an important part of my life.

"There have been a lot of ups and downs, though. I've watched them play in the top flight for one season and also seen them go out of the League.

"I've been to Wembley twice and the Millennium Stadium twice, the sort of experiences that my dad and grand-dad could only have dreamed of when they were supporters."

Mr Carr, who was presented with a new away shirt, was nominated for the award by Nicola.

She said:"He loves Carlisle United so much. I couldn't think of a better way to honour him."

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