James Holcroft, aged 10, meets Neil Lennon at Manchester Children's Hospital

Neil Lennon paid a special visit to lifelong Bolton Wanderers fan James Holcroft, who has spent the last 11 weeks in Manchester Children's Hospital after being diagnosed with leukaemia.





The manager surprised James, aged 10, as well as mother and father Karen and David, on Thursday afternoon, presenting the family with one of the club’s limited edition third shirts whilst signing autographs and posing for photos.





Chorley-born James is an avid Bolton supporter and season ticket holder, along with his father, sister and grandfather, in the Nat Lofthouse Lower Stand.





“It was great to meet James and his family,” Lennon said. “It’s a difficult time for everyone concerned and James is showing great courage.





“He’s a credit to his family and obviously being a big Bolton fan, he’s very much part of the Bolton Wanderers family.





“We continue to send him our well wishes and we hope to see him up at the training ground and back at Macron Stadium soon.”





David, James’ dad, added: “It’s absolutely fantastic. I can’t thank Neil and club enough for what they’ve done. It means so much to us. We can't put it in words.





“What James has gone through is not something you’d wish upon anyone. It has been wonderful to see all of our community come together and we really appreciate the support.”





James and his family have raised money through fundraisers to sponsor a room at Ronald McDonald House Manchester, which provides home-away-from-home accommodation for families with children in hospital.



