Pete Bird has supported Manchester United his whole life.
Unfortunately, the passionate Red was forced to give up his Old Trafford season ticket in the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand - which he had held since 2012 - when he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
In preparation for his 80th birthday, which he celebrated last Friday, the staff at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care in Poole, Dorset, enquired about a possible birthday message from the club that he loves so dearly.
As part of our Heroes United series, recognising fans who have shown incredible bravery and support of the club, we gathered a collection of birthday messages.
The well wishes came from our assistant coach and former England manager Steve McClaren, club captain Bruno Fernandes, in-form defender Harry Maguire, homegrown hero Marcus Rashford and, last but not least, Sir Alex Ferguson.
The well wishes came from our assistant coach and former England manager Steve McClaren, club captain Bruno Fernandes, in-form defender Harry Maguire, homegrown hero Marcus Rashford and, last but not least, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Best of all, Pete’s family then surprised him with the birthday messages and recorded his reactions while he watched alongside his loving wife Jan.
It’s an incredibly moving video and Pete apologising for giving up his season ticket highlights just how much he supports the team, and how classy a man he is.
We hope you had a lovely birthday, Pete, from everybody at Manchester United.
It’s an incredibly moving video and Pete apologising for giving up his season ticket highlights just how much he supports the team, and how classy a man he is.
We hope you had a lovely birthday, Pete, from everybody at Manchester United.
SURPRISING ANDERSON
In January, a young United fan called Anderson Pollard was surprised at Carrington by his favourite player Alejandro Garnacho.
It was a deserved reward for the brave young Red, who had recently beaten a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and showed tremendous spirit along the way.
In case you missed the video, you can catch up on it above.
In January, a young United fan called Anderson Pollard was surprised at Carrington by his favourite player Alejandro Garnacho.
It was a deserved reward for the brave young Red, who had recently beaten a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and showed tremendous spirit along the way.
In case you missed the video, you can catch up on it above.