A FANATICAL Middlesbrough fan is hoping to score a winner as he heads for the final of Britain's biggest football fan competition.

Garry Bothwell, from Stockton, is one of the final ten shortlisted in Virgin Media's competition to find the country's most extreme football fan.

Following the club around Europe, he admits to sleeping on the streets of Eindhoven only to see his team lose.

He said: "When I went to see Middlesbrough in the UEFA Cup final last year, everywhere was booked up.

"I did what any self-respecting fan would do and slept in some bushes behind the main high street. It was worth it, even though we lost."

Football fans across the county entered the competition and Mr Bothwell will go head-to-head with nine others from the UK.

Fans from Middlesbrough can support Mr Bothwell at www.vir ginmedia.com/sport/biggestfan