RUGBY LEAGUE supporters don't come any more loyal than John Andrews.

He has been watching Leigh since he was in short trousers.

And on his 80th birthday the Hilton Park men laid on a special surprise to repay that loyalty.

Past and present players - plus coach Ian Lucas and club boss Mick Higgins - turned out in force at his celebration party at Atherton Liberal Club.

But gate-crashers were more than welcome.

"It was a wonderful surprise," said delighted John, who first watched Leigh in the days of Walt Mooney, Joe Darwell and Wyndham Emery.

And he has been watching them ever since.

"I suppose the 1971 Challenge Cup winning team was the best I've seen," said the retired head cotton man at Howe Bridge Mills. "But I couldn't get to Wembley - I was working!"

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