IT was lucky 13 for devoted Atherton-born Wanderers fan Mike Montgomery when he jumped to it to grab Youri Djorkaeff's shirt.

Mr Montgomery, who stands 6ft 5in tall, says his giant stature came in handy for the first time in his life when he beat the competition in the crowd to get a hand to Djorkaeff's shirt at Charlton's The Valley ground on Saturday.

In his delight at scoring two goals in Wanderers' 2-1 victory, French international Djorkaeff stripped off his shirt after the game and lobbed it into the crowd.

Mr Montgomery, standing with his friends in the second row, was first to the prized garment, quickly stuffing it under his T-shirt to prevent it being snatched off him by eager trophy hunters.

"People everywhere were trying to jump on me. Even a granny was trying to hang on to it," he said.

"It is the first time in my life that being tall has ever been useful."

The 30-year-old has been supporting Wanderers through thick and thin since he was 14.

Originally from Atherton, the computer company worker now lives in Hereford but still regularly travels to watch his favourite team at home and away matches.

On Saturday he drove for four hours to attend the Charlton match, meeting up with his Leigh friend Craig Moore.

Mr Moore was so delighted with his mate's lucky catch that during the Saturday night out in Greenwich pubs he insisted he show off the coveted sportswear.

Mr Montgomery said: "It was drenched in sweat but it still smelled quite nice.

"Craig has made me promise to leave it to him in my will!"

And Mr Montgomery is hoping his sister, Sue Tabbitt, who lives in France, will name the baby she is expecting in August Youri if it is a boy.

He is so pleased with his new possession that he plans to leave it unwashed and get it framed.