A soccer-mad grandmother couldn't believe her luck when two of her footballing heroes turned up to deliver her Meals On Wheels.

Life-long Albion supporter Sylvia Linney opened her front door expecting volunteer driver Tom Bradshaw with her lunchtime portion of cottage pie and Bakewell tart.

Instead she was greeted by Seagulls' assistant manager Bob Booker and football in the community co-ordinator Matt Hicks, who had volunteered to deliver her dinner as part of national Wheels On Meals Week.

Mrs Linney, 80, who has rarely missed a Brighton game in 75 years, said: "This is a marvellous surprise. It is such a thrill to have them come to my flat. I feel I ought to bow."

The grandmother, who lives in Clarendon Road, Hove, has followed the Seagulls since she went to her first match with her father and brothers at the age of five.

She attends all the team's home games and travels on the Seagulls' coach to away games when her health allows.

She said: "It has been a big part of my life. I never missed a game in my life, even when I was pregnant.

"They used to open the big gates for me to let me in. It was just thrilling. We had so much fun.

"I even moved to my flat because it was near the old Goldstone Ground and I thought it would be easier to get to the games. But three years later it was sold."

Mrs Linney's husband John shared her love of the Albion and the couple used to take their children.

When Mr Linney died 20 years ago, his last wish was that his wife did not miss the next day's game.

Mrs Linney said: "I still buy his season ticket every year as well as my own so no one else can sit in his seat."

"My oldie friends look at me as if I'm mad when I tell them I'm off to the football and none of them like football talk.

"But I could never give up my football as it has been too much a part of my way of life."