Zidane, Totti and a star-struck Shaker

Gordon Sorfleet had one heck of weekend. "Bizarre" was the adjective that recurred most often yesterday as he recounted how he flew to Monte Carlo last Thursday to be named as Uefa's Supporter of the Year at the annual gala dinner of the game's European ruling body.

"Astonishing" cropped up more than once as he told how Zinedine Zidane congratulated him on his award while his wife, Christine, "who hates football with a passion", spent an hour chatting with the president of Barcelona, having earlier sent Italy's Francesco Totti stumbling by treading on his toes.

Sorfleet detailed how he had spent three days in the company of the legendary John Charles, talked to Bobby Robson (twice) and even been asked for his autograph by star-struck Real Madrid fans. "It must have been my VIP badge," he said. Zidane, Roberto Carlos and Raul all picked up gongs at the same ceremony.

Uefa decided to honour the 38-year-old when his fund-raising work for Bury, where he is press officer, was brought to its attention. He was also integral to the formation of a Supporters' Trust that now sees a fan on the board at Gigg Lane. "It's still going to be bloody tight for five years but at least the supporters have shown what can done," he said. "The award has got my name on it, but it's for every fan at the club. I'm going to contact Uefa to see if they can re-inscribe it to that effect as soon as possible."

Sorfleet and Christine (on her first trip outside England) left Manchester airport on Thursday aboard a jet that was also carrying Gerard Houllier and Charles, the "gentle giant" of Juventus and Wales of yore. On arrival in Nice, they were greeted by a "gorgeous blond leggy Uefa official" with a placard requesting that Messrs Sorfleet, Houllier and Charles make themselves known. They did, and were escorted to a private helicopter that whisked them on the six-minute journey to Monte Carlo's Grand Hotel.

"My wife couldn't believe it," Sorfleet said. "They gave us a room as big as our house." Almost immediately an invitation to that day's Champions' League draw was offered. "As Bury weren't involved, I declined".

That evening saw Mrs Sorfleet step on Totti's toes (he stayed on his feet and even kissed her), Zidane and Co applaud a clip from Bury's pre-season match against Chorley and finally the awards themselves. "When Zidane came up to me and said 'Well done, mon ami', my jaw nearly dropped to the floor," Sorfleet said.

Bobby Robson then came up for a chat, as he did the next day too, even remembering Sorfleet's name. From a famously forgetful manager who once called Bryan Robson "Bobby" only to be met with the response "No boss, I'm Bryan, you're Bobby", that was an accolade in itself.

Attendance at the Super Cup on Friday was followed by a flight home on Saturday that included updates from the pilot about Bury's progress against Boston. "Now it's back to earth," Sorfleet said yesterday. "I'm just starting on Friday's programme for the York game." Such is life for the game's prime movers and Shakers.