CHERRIES legend Steve Fletcher has given superfan Ethan Burney a day he’ll never forget.

Seven-year-old Ethan suffers from a rare syndrome and is losing his eyesight – but on Tuesday he was the envy of every Bournemouth fan.

That's because little Ethan was given a personalised tour of the Vitality Stadium by none other than Cherries legend Steve Fletcher and was also given a signed shirt from his favourite player Matt Ritchie.

Steve, who holds the record for appearances at the club, was left with a ‘lump in his throat’ after reading about Ethan’s story in the Daily Echo last week.

Ethan, from Canford Heath, Poole, is one of only around 12 children in the UK with Aarskog Syndrome and has undergone numerous operations on his feet and legs.

Last week his granddad Dave King, 64, launched a Facebook appeal for tickets so Ethan could watch his beloved Cherries play Spurs.

After reading the story Steve contacted the club chairman to see if there was anything special they could do for him and organised a stadium tour for Ethan and his family and friends.

“It broke my heart when I read about Ethan's condition and wanted to do something special for him,” said Steve, who has a stand at the stadium named in his honour.

“I have two children of my own and his story really left a lump in my throat.

“We are a family orientated club and wanted to do whatever we could to give Ethan a day he will remember for the rest of his life.

"He has been able to meet all the players and we gave him a signed football as well."

Ethan is among only two sufferers of the rare condition who are losing their eyesight.

But nothing could have been further from his mind on Tuesday when his hero Matt Ritchie handed him his own shirt from Sunday’s game against Tottenham with a personalised message for his biggest fan.

“It was amazing and I’m going to get it framed and put on my bedroom wall,” said Ethan, who eats, sleeps and breathes Bournemouth football.

“I loved getting to meet all the players and I even got to watch them train.

“It was definitely the best day of my life.”

Ethan was joined on the tour by his granddad and dad Gareth Burney, 36 – the two men responsible for Ethan’s obsession with the Cherries.

“It has been the most incredible day and one he will always remembers,” said Dave, who has supported the team for 40 years.

“We have to say a massive thank you to the club from all the family they have just been absolutely brilliant.

Dad Gareth added: “For us it’s about making sure Ethan gets to experiences as much as possible and the smile on his face makes it all worth it.”