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Diehard Stoke City fan Sean Ruane has scooped tickets to three of Europe’s most prestigious cup finals after being crowned Britain’s Ultimate Fan.
The 49-year-old from Stockton Brook and a friend will now be attending the FA Cup Final, Europa League Final in Warsaw, and Champions League Final in Berlin thanks to Titanbet.co.uk.
The online bookmaker set about finding the country’s most passionate supporter earlier this year when it invited fans across the country to submit videos and blogs showing why they should win the ultimate prize.
Hundreds of supporters entered the competition demonstrating their devotion, encyclopaedic knowledge, and even tattoos of their favourite team.
But the judges decided Sean, who was dubbed the Hairy Potter by City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, topped the list after fifty years of following his heroes home and away.
He said: “Being named the Ultimate Fan and getting to go to all these great finals caps off what has already been a truly special year! I turn 50 in July, celebrate my 25th year anniversary and then it’s also my daughter’s 21st birthday.
I’ll be taking my beloved wife along with me and I couldn’t think of a better anniversary present. We try to visit Barcelona as often as possible and the way things are going it would be fitting it they lifted the Champions League trophy in Berlin.”
Sean’s money-can’t-buy experience includes travel and luxury accommodation at each of the showpiece finals, starting in Warsaw on 27th May 2015
He and a friend will then travel back to London to watch Arsenal take on Aston Villa before returning to the continent for the Champions League Final at Berlin’s OIympic Stadium. But as Sean revealed, his trip of a life-time will be tinged with sadness given the absence of his brother and fellow Stoke fan Michael will not be able to join him.
He explained: “Before my brother passed away a few years back we used to go as a group to every game possible.
“He was a huge part of it, so I decided to buy five season tickets, even though there are now only four of us, and offer the last one to someone I really want at the match. Stoke has always been about family and community as a club.
“My brother was also in Berlin when the wall came down and he brought me a piece back. Since then I’ve always wanted to visit the city to relive his experience and the Champions League final provides the perfect opportunity.”
Throughout the five month competition fans had the opportunity to win GoPro cameras, thousands of pounds of free bets and Ultimate perks – including special hospitality packages for their team’s matches and signed merchandise.
Russell Yershon, spokesman for Titanbet.co.uk, said: “Our Ultimate Fan competition caught the imagination of football fans up and down the country, but ultimately there can be only one winner.
“Sean’s video entry was superb and it’s wonderful to be able to give a bit back to the fans who turn up week in week out to get behind their team.”
