QPR defender Bignot was marking the £12m Arsenal man in his final game for the Saints, at Loftus Road.

And Birmingham's Carney had asked former coach Bignot whether he could see his way clear to getting the teenage sensation's shirt after the game.

He was sheepish about asking Walcott outright, so he spun a line about his daughter Mia being a massive fan- and the 16-year-old handed his shirt over without hesitation.

Walcott asked for Bignot's shirt in return - which meant he is now out of pocket after having to pay for a replacement!

Bignot said: "Every time we give a shirt away we have to pay £30 quid for it so I am down on the deal. And I missed out on all the thousands I could have earned on eBay by getting him to sign it for Kaz.

"I was a bit embarrassed about asking him because he's only 16, so I took the cowardly route of getting our kit-man to ask their one. But that didn't work so I had to go up to him at the final whistle.
"But, and I am ashamed to say, I got it because I told him a little lie and said it was for my daughter.

"It was a low thing to do but sometimes you have to do these things to get what you want. He asked for mine which was a bit embarrassing. He's probably using it as a duster to clean his new house in north London."

Former TheFA.com columnist Bignot revealed Carney met Walcott at the BBC Sports Personality awards last year and wanted his shirt to add to her collection as soon as it became clear he was moving on from St Mary's.

And he admitted he had to elbow some of his team mates out of the way. He added: "She is big into football and likes getting shirts. I saw her on Sunday and she was over the moon to get it. I think it will have pride of place in her house.

"Getting the shirt was easier than I thought because I had been on the same side of the pitch as him. There were a few players who wanted it - Lee Cook was desperate for it - because there were rumours that it was going to be his last game for Southampton."