United fan and snooker star Virgo passes away

The snooker star and television personality has passed away, at the age of 79.

A big Red, the Salfordian spoke to our official magazine about his affection for the club, witnessing history being made in Barcelona in 1999 and a magical memory in front of the Stretford End.

"I was in the Nou Camp, when we won the Treble in 1999," he told us. "Losing 1-0, I thought 'well, this is it, another near miss'. Then we scored and I thought 'at least we've got extra-time to win it'. Then we scored again! Leaving the ground, my pal said to me: 'It doesn't get better than this'."

Taking spot-kicks at Old Trafford was something he clearly enjoyed, back in the Double-winning campaign of 1993/94.

"That was at half-time against Sheffield United, during the first home game of 1993/94," he recalled. "I scored two out of four. The crowd were chanting my name, which was incredible!

"After the game, I got to have a drink and chat with Sir Alex [Ferguson] and talk football!"

Virgo also discussed his memories of the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, with the club's anniversary service taking place this Friday, as usual, at Old Trafford.

"Next day, at school, there was a minute's silence," he said. "It was a horrendous time. All your heroes were gone. It was terrible.

"As a kid, you knew your team: Wood, Byrne, Foulkes, Jones, Bent, Edwards, Whelan, Colman, Charlton, Viollet, Taylor, Berry, Pegg. You could reel it off.

"Sir Bobby was my first hero. He was magic. You always felt something was going to happen when he got the ball."

Our sincere condolences go out to John's family and friends at this sad time.