Pools fan Calum Bratt asked his hero Ritchie Humphreys – who recently picked up four gongs at the Player of the Year awards – if he could have his boots when the season drew to a close last weekend.

The 10-year-old, who has supported Pools since the age of two, is a member of the Junior Poolies fan club and online sponsor of club captain Humphreys, who was crowned as the Player of the Century last week.

The club invited all on-line sponsors to submit three questions to their favourite player, with Calum opting to ask for Ritchie's boots.

And he couldn't believe his luck when the skipper left a message to say the boots were waiting for Calum to collect them at The Vic.

His mother, Debra, a shop assistant from Grange Road, said: "Calum was quite cheeky and asked Ritchie if he could have his boots, but didn't expect to hear anything back.

"Then we received this DVD through the post and Ritchie said he would be happy to leave the boots at reception.

"Calum was over the moon because both boots were signed and they still had mud and grass on from the season. He is a big Poolie but this is his prized possession.

"The football club has been excellent."

Calum, a pupil at St Cuthbert's Primary School, said: "I was really shocked when he sent me the boots because he is my favourite player.

"I was really pleased to see Ritchie pick up four awards because he really deserves it.

"He always gives 100 per cent and is fully committed to the club."
Hartlepool United's media manager, Mark Simpson, said: "This kind gesture once again shows that Ritchie Humphreys is a great ambassador for the club, and a great professional.

"It shows why he is held in such great esteem by the fans because he cares about the club and the supporters."