A LIFE-LONG City fan who waited 90 years to see his favourite club has made a 7,000 mile round trip to the City of Manchester Stadium.
Tony Keogh travelled went to watch the Blues when he travelled home from Toronto for the first time in 40 years.
The club helped him celebrate his 90th birthday by rolling out the blue carpet and treating him to the finest hospitality.
And the players also obliged by providing him with something to celebrate when they beat Blackburn 3-1.
Tony said: "I rarely get to see live football games, but I do watch the highlights on TV and read the match reports in newspapers.
"However it's no substitute for seeing the beautiful game played live and I was really looking forward to seeing some of the stars I've been hearing so much about, particularly Robinho."
Tony moved to Toronto in 1968 - the same year that City last won the league.
He had been a history teacher in Bolton, but had never visited Maine Road despite being an avid supporter all his life.
He has kept up to date with the Blues' games from his home 3,500 miles away.
City heard about his planned visit and treated him to a table at their Citizens' Suite.
Tony also got to meet City legends Gary Owen and Mike Summerbee.
He said: "It's been a really momentous occasion for me because I was visiting the City of Manchester Stadium for the first time.
"I couldn't think of a better way of celebrating my birthday than the ground of my beloved football team with my friends and family.
"The hospitality has been excellent. I only wish I could enjoy matchday with all the works more often."
David Chell, head of sales at the City of Manchester Stadium, said: "When we heard of Tony's birthday milestone we had to ensure it was celebrated in style. We hope our hospitality, renowned as being one of the best in the Premier League, provided the icing on the cake for his very special day."
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7,000 miles to watch City play
May 05, 2009
Tony Keogh with City legends Gary Owen and Mike Summerbee.
Showing comments 1 to 22 and replies | View All
S.E.H, Hazel Grove(Cloud 9) (05/05/2009 at 07:16)
Removal, Swinton (05/05/2009 at 08:33)
Summerbee fair enough but Gary Owen? Just a radio mouthpiece who wears bad suits.....
dessie, manchester (05/05/2009 at 09:04)
Gus (05/05/2009 at 10:18)
MUFC-herefirst-1878, Wilmslow (05/05/2009 at 11:09)
Ha only kidding, good show City
dave clare, perth australia (05/05/2009 at 11:47)
5/05/2009 at 08:33
give owen a break mate, he love's the club with all his heart. Remember his old man saying in an interview, that when he was sold to west brom it was like taking a dog to get put down at the vet. He cried all the way there.
David, North M/C (05/05/2009 at 11:59)
MUFC-herefirst-1878, Wilmslow (05/05/2009 at 14:14)
5/05/2009 at 11:59
Im not having a pop, hence me using the words "Good Show City"
Why do some people on these boards always take things to heart?!
Laura Norder, Didsbury (05/05/2009 at 15:23)
Up the Reds!
A Mancunian, Manchester (05/05/2009 at 15:34)
Now where are all those Bitters who are always criticising non-Mancunian United fans? Are you going to criticise this 90 year old man? Some out of towners actually make more of an effort to watch their team than local fans.
nyb, ex manc (05/05/2009 at 15:45)
JTC Formerley JimC (05/05/2009 at 15:56)
JoeStalin,Gorton (05/05/2009 at 16:56)
Hudson Gull (05/05/2009 at 16:59)
Seamus, Vanisle,ex-Stretford (05/05/2009 at 17:22)
Seems like a lovely bloke, wonder where he got his misguided loyalties :-)
No really, nice story, and yes, well done City.
Ace Shakespeare , manchester (05/05/2009 at 18:04)
City are a bit fussy where they play and didsbury isnt a place most decent people would frequent nowadays with all the drunks around there.
abu dhabi city group (05/05/2009 at 18:25)
the old ones are the best aren't they dear?
big g, sale (05/05/2009 at 20:23)
Garden? Curtains? Reds? I should be so lucky!
lebist, Blackley (05/05/2009 at 23:43)
salfordexile, torbay (05/05/2009 at 23:48)
Sparky was the best ever (06/05/2009 at 04:04)
Mr Manchester (06/05/2009 at 15:20)
Up the Reds!'
This could have been written for Viz! ;)