THE estate agent who handled the sale of the England goalkeeper's home showed she had a safe pair of hands when the deal went through without a hitch.

Now goalkeeping star David James has said thanks to Joan Powell by sending her a load of footballing goodies.

The former Aston Villa keeper, who lived with his family in Brickhouse Lane, Stoke Heath, was forced to put his luxury half million pound home on the market after he was transferred to West Ham.

James, who is expected to be included in the England World Cup squad which will be announced next month, asked Andrew Grant in Bromsgrove to handle the sale.

And he was so delighted with how it went that he sent sales negotiator Joan Powell a ball signed by the Hammer's team and a pair of his goalkeeper's gloves signed by him, as tokens of his appreciation.

Joan, from Stoke Pound, Bromsgrove, said Grant sold James the house when he first moved to Bromsgrove after he signed for Villa from Liverpool.

Now she plans to send the gifts to her soccer-mad granddaughter Elisabeth Stiley, who lives in Washington, USA, and who is one of David's biggest fans.

"I was shocked when I received the gifts and am absolutely delighted David has shown his appreciation in this way," Joan said.

Last August while visiting her grandmother, Elisabeth was looking forward to watching her hero play in a televised game only to see him carried off injured after just a few minutes.

"I hope the ball and gloves will make up for it." Joan laughed.

Joan is used to meeting top football personalities.

Soon after becoming England manager she escorted Sven Goran Eriksson around some of their Bromsgrove properties when he was thinking of settling in the Midlands.