SEEING ex-England international Jermaine Defoe at a football ground may not be an unusual sight.

But it was certainly not expected that the Rangers striker would be spotted at Gretna FC 2008’s Raydale Park stadium at the weekend.

The superstar came to watch the club’s match against Whitehill Welfare in the Scottish Lowland Football League on Saturday as Defoe’s nephew Darnell Ramsay made his debut.

Defoe posed for pictures with young fans and club officials during the day.

His impromptu visit also coincided with a special day for the club as it was awarded the Armed Forces Covenant from Dumfries & Galloway Council.

Councillor Archie Dryburgh - the authority’s armed forces champion - presented the award to club chairman Alex Thomson who was joined by a group of veterans. Defoe was only too happy to have his picture taken with the group.

Alex said: “It was given to us for supporting the Armed Forces. The group came down for the day.

“It has all been done through our Walking Football initiative and they have just started something up for Armed Forces personnel in Dumfries and Galloway.”

Defoe, who scored 20 goals for England in 57 appearances, went down a hit at the match, which finished 2-1 to Gretna.

No one at the club knew he was coming, however, there was a request to leave some tickets for a visitor.

“What a pleasant guy he was,” Alex added.

“He is really spot on. He couldn’t do enough for the kids that were there.

“Nothing was a hassle for him, I really take my hat off to him.

“He was really great with everybody. We asked him if he would play but he wouldn’t... If you don’t ask you don’t get.”