Crystal Palace fan gets a lift after the match from his favourite player

A Crystal Palace fan who spends thousands of pounds following his team couldn't believe his luck - when his favourite player gave him a lift after the match.

Steven Cowell, 32, took his £500 Wilfried Zaha match worn shirt and boots, given to him by wife Stacey, 31, and was hoping to get them signed by the winger.

But after waiting hours outside the stadium, Zaha appeared, told them he had to go to hospital with an injured hand, and rushed off.

The disappointed couple walked back to their car - but to their surprise a black Mercedes rolled up next to them.

Super-fan Steven was overwhelmed when he realised it was Zaha - and even more so when he wound down his window and offered to pick up the couple and give them a lift to their car.

Steven's obsession with Crystal Palace began when he was given his first season ticket at age three by his Dad, Stephen.>Now, football-mad Steven and his wife have filled their house to the brim with red and blue merchandise - and they are encouraging their one-year-old son Dexter to keep the Eagle addiction going.>Even the theme for their wedding was Crystal Palace.>Steven, who grew up in Shirley, South London, said he must have spent thousands of pounds on memorabilia.>He even has six palace tattoos, a red and blue themed car - and a four-year-old pug called Crystal Alice.