‘There were tears in my eyes and to see all those fans clapping for me’
Tommy Heron applauded by the crowd(Image: HC-One)
Manchester United’s oldest living former player has told of his pride after being treated to a VIP tour of the football club’s Old Trafford stadium.
Tommy Heron, now aged 89, was given the five-star treatment – and even met United’s new signing Benjamin Sesko.
Heron signed for Manchester United in 1958 and was a member of the squad until 1961. He made three senior appearances for the Red Devils at left back just after the Munich Air Disaster.
Orginally from Irvine in Scotland, he moved on to York City in 1961, where he went on to play 192 times. Heron also played for Altrincham, Hyde United and Droylsden during his playing career, before retiring in 1970.
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He’s now a resident at HC-One’s Averill House Care Home, which provides residential dementia and nursing dementia care in Newton Heath, Manchester.
The day, organised in collaboration between Manchester United and the home’s care teams, was designed to celebrated Heron’s life-long connection with the club he called home
And new striker Sesko made a lasting impression. “Sesko’s a lovely lad,” he said. “I think he’ll bring something exciting to United this season. I can’t wait to watch him and the rest of the team – this could be our year.”
He even sat at Sir Alex Ferguson’s table(Image: HC-One)
Arriving at Old Trafford to a celebrity welcome, Heron was escorted through the Munich Tunnel, enjoyed champagne and fine dining in the Director’s Lounge and even sat at Sir Alex Ferguson’s table.
Watching his beloved United from the comfort of Sir Matt Busby’s seat, his visit was announced across the stadium and 60,000 of United’s faithful rose to their feet to applaud him.
“When the announcer said my name and the crowd stood up and cheered, I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “There were tears in my eyes and to see all those fans clapping for me – well, I’ll never forget it. It was one of the best days of my life.”
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His care assistant, Rachel Daw, said: “To see him so happy and honoured after everything he has been through was just incredible.
“I cannot convey how kind and wonderful a man Tommy is, and helping to fulfil his dream makes caring for people so special. I know how much the entire day will have meant to Tommy, he’s going to be talking about this day for years to come.”
Clare Stott, Home Manager at Averill House, said: “Tommy may have been the VIP but for me the real star of this whole experience has been Rachel. To work so hard to ensure he can experience his dream, to take Tommy on her day off and to care with such kindness takes a really special kind of person. Rachel is first and foremost an entirely selfless individual, everything she does is for Tommy and the residents with her care and ability to go above and beyond helping them to live their best lives.”
Heron’s return ended in a pub near to the ground after the match.
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