With Europe's top clubs queuing up to sign your star player and the Premiership season just weeks away, what better way to unwind than with an ice cream in Herne Bay?

It was the approach favoured by Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas yesterday as he took time out from the thrills and spills of management to visit the east Kent coast with assistant coaches Jose Mario Rocha, above left, and Daniel Sousa.

And the ex-Chelsea and Porto boss proved he's developed a taste for some traditional English grub - but not all of it.

The 35-year-old popped into the King Ethelbert pub at Reculver, but after a quick glance at the menu opted instead for some egg and chips at the nearby Café Reculver.

Manager Elwyn Morris – an Arsenal fan – was so rushed off his feet he did not recognise his famous guest at first.

He said: "It was a surprise. They sat down and a guy said to me 'do you know who that is?'

"I said 'no, I'm really busy' as I just thought they were three Spanish fellas. They were sitting there very quiet.

"Then I realised who he was so I asked if I could have a photo."

"All the guys up the pub are big Tottenham fans so I gave them plenty of stick about him coming to my place, what with me being an Arsenal supporter..." - cafe owner Elwyn Morris

Villas-Boas happily obliged and showed off his cheeky side, asking Mr Morris to bring over two waitresses to be in the photo, but they declined.

said: "The girls were so busy, but really I think they were shy.Mr Morris, 57, who lives at Waterways Caravan Park,

"They were lovely people. Very friendly and they enjoyed the food. They said thanks very much before they went off.

"There was no pretentiousness with them. They were really pleasant and didn't mind anyone coming up to them. Really lovely guys."

Staunch Gooner Mr Morris wasted no time telling his friends at the King Ethelbert pub about his happy customer, who had snubbed them earlier in the day.

He said: "All the guys up the pub are big Tottenham fans so I gave them plenty of stick about him coming to my place, what with me being an Arsenal supporter. There was some banter going on."

Yet Mr Morris admits he did not divulge his club allegiance to Villas-Boas.

He said: "I thought it was best to keep that to myself."