WE'VE seen it all before, the lengths some people go to to show their allegiance to their team - or have we.

Take Alan Ruthen - a Saints fan for over 50 years. He's constantly reminded of his Dell heroes every time he goes into the back garden - because there large as life is Charlie, his red-and-white striped clad gnome. And he's named after Dell hero Charlie Wayman.

Alan now lives in Wales but has been an avid Saints fan since he went to his first game against Norwich way back in 1946.

"Although I'm now living in Wales I like to go to a couple of games a season," said Alan.

"This year I hope to go to the away game at Manchester United and the Dell clash against Liverpool next month."

Charlie wears his kit with pride and sheds a tear every time Saints lose - thankfully he's waterproof!

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