Rugby League superfan John Spellman has watched every match played by his team for 40 years.
John, 71, has cheered from the terraces for more than 1,200 consecutive games.
And when Swinton Lions kick off their 2020 Championship campaign at Whitehaven next weekend, he will be there.
He went to his first game aged 12 and attended regularly after starting work at 16. Since 1979 he has not missed a game, home or away, including friendlies.
The Lions have not won a major trophy since 1969 and despite bigger clubs, such as Warrington and Wigan, being nearby, John has stayed loyal to his local club in Greater Manchester.
“It’s in your blood – it’s that simple,” he said. “Anybody can watch a winning team. It’s the easiest thing in the world. I’ve moved house, changed my job and my lady, but never once has it crossed my mind to change my club. I’ve seen us have 100 points put past us twice.”
He has shunned events that clash with games and even left his granddaughter’s Holy Communion to catch a second half.
The retired steel tube salesman, from Monton, almost missed a match in 1998 when he went to a wedding in Wolverhampton.
A lift to Manchester fell through and John had to call a cabbie.
He said: “He thought I was joking. I paid £60 and just got back in time for a coach to Whitehaven. We lost in the last minute!”
“Obsessed” John says his girlfriend of 17 years Jan Weston has no interest.
He laughed: “She’s been to Toulouse and Toronto with me, but never came to the matches. She doesn’t understand it!”
