A SIX-YEAR-OLD Albion fan saved up for over a year to buy his new kit as the club prepares for its first Premier League match.

Elliott Ayling, from Hove, was finally able to spend his pocket money on a £38 Nike away jersey for the coming season, after it was unveiled last week. He had enough for a pair of £18 shorts too.

His father Tim Ayling, 41, said Elliott felt “hugely proud that he had saved for so long to get it”.

The IT security and fraud specialist said: “He was massively excited when I gave him the parcel.

“The next step is to buy the number and name on the back – he only gets £5 a month, so he’s saving for two more months.

“He bought a toy he didn’t really play with the last time he bought anything with his pocket money so we were talking about something he could buy that he would definitely use.

“He barely takes the kit off now, so it’s money well spent.

“He has been a season ticket holder for three years. His first game was when we beat Leicester 3-1 at the Amex under Oscar Garcia.

“It’s been a love affair ever since.

“He loves the noise at the ground and he loves skills and tackling – which is why Anthony Knockaert and Beram Kayal are his favourite players.

“He also likes Liam Rosenior too as he lives a few doors down from us.

“Elliott’s middle name is Bobby after the former Albion striker Bobby Zamora.

“I have been following the Albion since my teenage years, hence why Zamora was my hero in my twenties.”

Elliott remembers attending a match against Fulham when Albion won 2-1 and the team scored two goals in one minute, which he calls “the game we went bananas”.

He has had a few kits over the years as birthday presents but was delighted to buy his own in time for the Seagulls’ first match of the season against Manchester City on August 12.

After developing a keen interest in playing football as well as being a dedicated fan, Elliott recently joined Hove Park Colts under sevens.

Mr Ayling added: “He plays three times a week. He is always kicking a ball round in his bedroom at home too. In fact, he’s obsessed.

“Supporting the team together is a great opportunity to spend personal time with him and we always have something to talk about.

“Even when he’s in a bad mood I can just talk about football and he brightens up.

“It makes parenting a lot easier.”

Albion’s away kit will be worn for the first time during tomorrow’s pre-season match against Atlético de Madrid at the Amex.

Both home and away kits are available in the club’s online store.