Former Millwall boss Ian Holloway has revealed how he was unable to sign Bobby Zamora while in charge of the club because the striker refused to betray his West Ham roots!

The 34 year old – now finding real form at Brighton and thriving at the age of 34 – grew up as an avid Iron and remains a Hammers favourite.

Now he will go even higher in the fans’ estimation after Holloway revealed how his love of the club kept him out of Millwall.

Holloway said: “Brighton have been playing excellent football for the last few years but they’ve added a couple of lethal strikers this season in Tomer Hemed and Bobby Zamora to finish off the chances.

“I signed Zamora in my first job at Bristol Rovers when he was 17 and tried to sign him while I was at Millwall, but he was worried about the West Ham link.

“I’m glad it’s worked out for one of us! Perhaps if we got him, I’d still be Millwall manager – but such is life. “What a fantastic player to have around the place. He’s a winner and it’s always good to see a player go back to a club where he’s loved.”