A MAN whose links to a North-East non-league football club stretch back more than 40 years was thrown a surprise party to mark his 90th birthday.

West Auckland Football Club’s honourary president Norman Ayton was given a birthday buffet by his wife Jean in Doncaster, where he moved to from his home in Bishop Auckland.

She sent an open invite to any club officials or friends to attend, on the condition that they kept it a secret from Norman.

But general manager Stuart Alderson told her no-one was available due to the club’s commitments the following day. Instead, he said they would write a speech to be read out at the gathering.

In fact, a group of officials were always going to make the 91-mile journey to surprise their staunch supporter.

Mr Alderson even decided to take the 'first World Cup', the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, to give Norman's growing family in Doncaster the opportunity to see it.

The trophy was presented to West Auckland in 1911 when they won it for the second year in succession, beating the likes of Juventus along the way.

The trophy presently in the club's possession is an exact replica of the original, which was stolen in 1994 and never recovered.

Along with gifts from the football club there was also a engraved glass trophy vase from Durham County FA, where Mr Ayton spent many years as an active member.

A club spokesman said: "The surprise on Norman's face was priceless when we entered the room. He was shocked but delighted to see the group and was close to shedding a tear."

The spokesman added that the day's "masterpiece" was a cake which had been made to look like the Sir Thomas Lipton trophy, with edible West Auckland badges running around it.

Stood on the top was a silver player holding the ball above his head.

"A top cake for a top bloke," added the spokesman.

A large notice board decorated with photos and newspaper cuttings of Norman from all ages was on the wall for all to enjoy with one cutting showing the impact he had on the club bearing the headline: “Clubman keeps West in business.”

The trophy was also put on display, giving people the chance to have their picture taken with it.

Mr Alderson presented Mr Ayton with a club polo shirt and gave a speech, which touched on how he would chase him and his mates off the field on a Sunday afternoon – something Mr Alderson does himself these days.

He also mentioned that Norman liked "a Guinness or three".

Norman who turned 90 on Tuesday, August 8 – the same day West Auckland beat Guisborough 9-0 – is already planning to return to the town to watch his favourite team.

He said: “It will be good to catch up will friends.”