A DEVOTED football fan has recalled legendary Liverpool boss Bill Shankly's amazement after he hitch-hiked through France to watch them play – making him the only away supporter.

The tale of Marlow resident Tony Dunn's long solo trip to watch his team play FC Nantes in 1960, aged 15, where he travelled with the players' to the ground and joined them on their night out after, has been captured in a documentary.

The programme entitled 'He made the people happy', has been made for Liverpool Football Club's own television channel.

Mr Dunn, 65, of Terrington Hill, travelled by train and ferry before hitching a lift in France to get to the Friendship Cup match in Northern France.

He was so determined to get to the game he even slept rough in Jersey.

He said: “When I arrived at the hotel where the team were staying, I hung around and Bill Shankly recognised me and said 'what are you doing here?' and I said 'I'm here to see the game.”

The Anfield boss had seen him and friends at a number of other away games.

“They were all so friendly, Shankly had his arm around me and all the team were amazed that this 15 year old boy had made this trip all the way to France,” Mr Dunn said.

He was invited for a pre-match meal with the players, sat in a directors box during the game and then went to a bar in the evening.

Shankly, one of the most esteemed football managers in British history, asked A-level French student Mr Dunn to buy a copy of the local newspaper and translate the report of the 0-0 draw.

He even offered Mr Dunn a seat on the aeroplane back home, although a director stepped in because he was not insured.

“It was just like being in a long lasting , very pleasant dream. It was the highest point of my football life,” Mr Dunn said.

“Shankly was an amazing man,” he added.

Shankly is revered by Reds' fans for transforming them from a Division 2 side to the all conquering 1960s and 1970s sides which scooped three championships, two FA Cups and one UEFA Cup.

The documentary was made to mark the 50th anniversary of his arrival at the club.

His influence inspired Mr Dunn to some football management success of his own – steering Wargrave Football Club to promotion from Division 4 in a spell between 1973-78.

He also coached 1st Danesfield Cubs in the Marlow District League in the early 1990s.