Published: Thursday, 4th October, 2007 09:00
Field of dreams
Print Article
A Manchester United supporter from Tranent was the envy of 76,000 football fans when he stood in the centre circle of the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ and shook the hand of “the greatest football player in the world”.
Alex Borthwick, 53, of Carlaverock Drive, was left speechless when he received a phone call in July telling him that he had been selected to present Manchester Utd’s star player Cristiano Ronaldo with the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year award at Old Trafford before the clash with Chelsea on September 23.
Alex, secretary of charity Tranent Belters, told the Courier: “I was on the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) website back in April just trawling the sports results.
“I noticed they had a list of the players up for the player of the year award and fans were urged to vote for their favourite player, with one person randomly selected to present it.
“I’ve always said that Ronaldo would win so I picked him and didn’t think any more about it.”
More than 125,000 fans went into the draw to present Ronaldo with his prize, and business analyst Alex was astounded that his name was picked.
Presenting Ronaldo with the award was “one of the greatest days of my life”, he said.
“It was the first time I’d ever been to Old Trafford for a football match,” said Alex. “Other stadiums just don’t compare.
“Meeting Ronaldo weas absolutely brilliant. I was right out in the centre of the park, just before kick-off surrounding by nearly 76,000 people.
“Unbelievable. I was actually quite calm though, I think he was more nervous than me because it was obviously a huge game for the club. I shook his hand and he said a sort of hello but his English wasn’t great.”
Alex has supported the Reds for 40 years.
“In my opinion he (Ronaldo) is the greatest player in the world at the moment,” he added.
“Especially when you consider his age; I mean, he won the league for them last season.”
One of the biggest challenges for Alex was choosing who would accompany him to the match, which United won 2-0.
His two grown up children, Lisa, 23 and Paul, 26 were desperate to go, but in the end Dad chose wife Lorraine to share this “awesome experience”.
Alex also did the country proud as he donned a Spirit of Scotland kilt on the day “to show them what we’re made of”.
He’s to be sent a framed United shirt signed by his hero.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Honoured by Her Majesty