A MAN is making a heartfelt plea to make his dreams come true at a football match this Saturday (October 25).

Fred Stewart, 71, is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who has lived in Crook for more than 40 years.

As a child he remembers his parents taking him to see Crook play Bishop Auckland at Wembley and visiting Arsenal’s football stadium for a guided tour.

He said: “Seeing the stadium blew my mind, everything about the place, it’s something that I still remember and will never forget.

“I told myself that one day I would see Arsenal play live, and because of my health and other things I have never been able to see them play.

“I have always supported the team from a distance. I would say Arsene Wenger is my idol. His whole outlook on football, when he first came on the scene I had no idea who he was, and he’s just got better and better.”

Mr Stewart would like to shake the Arsenal manager’s hand when the team play Sunderland on Saturday.

He added: “This will be the last time I get to watch a premier league football match and it would mean the world to me to meet him.

“I’ve tried everything I can think of to arrange it, but I’ve been told that Arsenal don’t do meet and greets.

“I don’t want any freebies or charity, I have my ticket and have made arrangements to get there, I just want to shake his hand.

“I don’t have a bucket list, but if I did this would be at the top of it.”