Football fans at Preston's National Football Museum on Wednesday got a glimpse of three players from the great Liverpool team of the 1980s with some of the trophies they won.

Former goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, ex-skipper Phil Neal, striker David Johnson and left back Alan Kennedy met and signed autographs for fans from across the north west.

It was the first time the players had been reunited with the FA Cup and the Canon League Trophy since they did the 'double' in 1986, the first season Kenny Dalglish was in charge of the club.

Grobbelaar helped to secure Liverpool the European Cup in 1984 against AS Roma with his famous 'spaghetti legs' antics during the penalty shoot out. He flew in from South Africa for the event to join his former team mates. Phil Neal, who made more than 450 league appearance with Liverpool and scored more than 40 goals, said: "It's great to meet up again.

"I've never been to the museum before so it's a great honour and obviously it's great to see the cups again."

And the fans were just as pleased.

Liverpool fan, Stuart Snape, 40, of Crown Street, Farington, said: "I've been a fan for as long as I can remember. It was my family and friends who got me into it. I've never met them before so it was exciting."

A pair of young football enthusiasts who collect footballers' signatures went to add four more to their catalogue.

Matthew Murphy, 16, of Moss Avenue, Ashton, and Andy Dickinson, 15, of Elm Grove, Ribbleton, brought Liverpool FC memorabilia with them to get them signed.

Matthew said: "I've collected loads of Liverpool stuff over the years. It was great to meet these players as I've never met them before."

Former Everton stars, Kevin Ratcliffe, Graham Sharp, Peter Reid, Kevin Sheedy and John Bailey together with managerial supremo, Howard Kendall were at the Deepdale Road venue on Thursday.