A FOOTBALL fan enjoyed a very special visit to celebrate her 102nd birthday.

Clara Aspen was delighted when Blackburn Rovers captain Charlie Mulgrew turned up to help her mark the special occasion.

The Scottish international, who scored twice in Rovers’ vital 3-1 over Shrewsbury on Saturday, gave Clara, a resident at Brierfield House Care Home in Nelson, cards, flowers and a birthday cake.

He paid the surprise visit on Thursday, ahead of Clara’s 102nd birthday yesterday.

Clara’s first Blackburn Rovers match was with her father back in 1927, when she just 11, and she has been a fan ever since.

Kathleen Greenwood, 72, Clara’s daughter, said: “My mother was completely shocked.

“It was so lovely. I rang Blackburn Rovers to see if they would put my mother’s birthday announcement in the programme for her. They said no.

“They said they wanted to do something more special for her, and it all escalated from there really.”

As well as being a big fan of Charlie Mulgrew, her favourite player of all time is Alan Shearer - who played for Blackburn Rovers from 1992 to 1996.

She said: “She loves Alan Shearer. She has lots of photos of him next to her bed, and received a letter from him on her 100th birthday,” said Kathleen.

“All she needs now is the photo she had taken with Charlie Mulgrew framed, so she can put it next to all the others in her collection.”

Kathleen is a big fan of Blackburn Rovers too. She said: “I’m a season ticket holder myself. I go to every one of their matches.”

All Clara’s family, friends and staff at the care home managed to keep the visit a surprise from her until the big day arrived.

A spokesman for Brierfield House said: “The atmosphere was lovely. It was really nice and cheerful all round.”