AN octogenerain football fan who hadn't seen his beloved team play for more than 40 years hit the jackpot when one of his carers got lucky in a raffle.

Ayresome Park was Middlesbrough's home ground the last time John Hobday went to watch The Boro live and in person.

The 88-year-old first started attending Boro games in the 1960s with his friends - even sneaking into the ground on the occasions he couldn’t afford tickets.

John hadn’t seen Middlesbrough play since the 1980s but four decades after his last game he was gifted a ticket by Simone Weighell, a care home assistant practitioner at The Beeches care home on Green Lane, Stockton, where he resides.

The Northern Echo: John Hobday, 88, with his match day programme for his first visit to Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside StadiumJohn Hobday, 88, with his match day programme for his first visit to Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium (Image: SCHOFIELD COMMS)

After hearing John had never seen Boro at the Riverside, Simone wanted to treat John and allow him to watch his favourite team in person again.

John donned his Middlesbrough FC home shirt that he had received from an anonymous gift-giver to the local Dunelm store’s Christmas Wish List campaign and attended the game with activities coordinator Thomas Knight.

On the day of the match - Middlesbrough vs Ipswich Town - John was “excited from the moment we left”, according to Thomas.

He added: “Once we arrived, John was amazed by the size of the stadium. Outside the ground, he was talking to the away fans and they were exchanging predictions of the upcoming game. They were really friendly but John was certain to remind them of how Middlesbrough were going to win.”

The Northern Echo: John Hobday, 88, outside Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium ahead of his first live and in-person match since the 1980sJohn Hobday, 88, outside Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium ahead of his first live and in-person match since the 1980s (Image: SCHOFIELD COMMS)

Upon entering the stadium, John psaid: “This is a big difference to Ayresome Park.”

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John even got to meet former Boro player and now commentator Neil Maddison who spoke with him about the upcoming game.

Middlesbrough ended up losing the game 2-0 but John didn’t let it get him down, saying: “I’ve had an amazing day but I could have ran more than some of the players today. Next time I’ll bring my boots with me.”

Thomas added: “It was a really nice day out for John, despite the cold. He says he’d love to get a season ticket for next season, so hopefully he’ll be able to go to another Boro match very soon.”