East Lancashire’s famous faces have offered to help a pensioner get to and from Burnley FC games, after reading about his plight in a newspaper advert.

The anonymous OAP, from Southport, placed an advert in Champion Newspapers asking for a lift from Southport to Turf Moor - and it has since gone viral on social media.

The advert says: “OAP Season Ticket holder in Argyle Road, Southport, looking for lift from Southport home to and from the Clarets home games.

“Prepared to change seats in ground to facilitate this.

“I have early stage Parkinson's."

 

 

Carl Disley shared the original post to social media and wrote: “Football fans assemble. Share this far and wide.

“Let's keep this fella going the match as long as possible.”

Since then, his tweet has been shared more than 12,000 times and received over 43,000 likes and interactions.

Some of the region’s most famous faces have also offered their support to the fan.

Burnley businessman, Dave Fishwick, even offered some words of support after a member of his own family suffered with the disease.

Dave, who is currently promoting a Netflix biopic about his life, said: “I will gladly pay for a fan to take this pensioner to & from the home games of Burnley Football club @BurnleyOfficial

“My father passed away of Parkinson’s disease and I understand how debilitating it is.

“Please contact my team at #BankofDave and we will organise the money for you.”

Dave isn’t the only famous face in the region doing everything they can to get the OAP to his Clarets games.

Burnley radio presenter, Jordan North, joined in on the discussion.

He said: “Been tagged in this a few times tonight, thanks everyone. We will get them to the Turf. Leave it with us.”

Burnley chairman, Alan Pace, has also offered his support to the elderly gentleman, offering him VIP treatment once he has been tracked down.

He said: “We are working to identify the fan who made the appeal and as soon as we have their details I would like to invite them to the boardroom before our next home game.

“Our fans are the lifeblood of our club and our community, and we will do everything we can to help our supporters during difficult moments.

“It's a small gesture, but we would be delighted to welcome them to Turf Moor to be a guest of the club as soon as possible.”

Members of the public have also offered to rally behind the pensioner, with others praising the kindness of football fans.

One person said: “This is a wonderful idea. I have no way of physically driving the chap to matches, but I'll happily chip into a taxi fund.”

Another said: “It's only footy fans that can do this for each other, we are all rivals at the best of times, but when the crunch hits we are all but one, humans. Love to see this, class act from all you folk, social media should be used for this kind of thing, heart is full this weekend!”

“I don't live that far from Southport,” said another. “I am not a Burnley fan, but I am a football fan. I would happily drive this man to see his football matches on my days off if he struggles.”

To offer your support or help to the fan, send details to: PO Box, KS/07/22, Champion Newspapers, Clare House, 166 Lord Street, Southport”