Lifelong Sheffield United supporter who will be forced to miss the action

“1927 would have been my first game – it was only about tuppence to get in but my father used to lift me over the gate,” says Mr Ashton of his early years supporting the Blades.

“It was December, 1946 that I came home from serving in the Middle East and Italy. Naturally, I started going straight back to matches again.It was great – it was just the same as I’d remembered.”

Forty million people attended league games throughout the 1946-47 season.

“My father was only five-foot two. When he was queuing outside the ground, up to getting inside his feet never touched the floor!”

The traditional Christmas Day game saw the Salvation Army playing carols at half-time: “We brought in flasks of whiskey and cigars – you could fairly smell the whiskey around the ground,” recalls Mr Ashton.

With stadiums damaged and supporters recovering from the horrors of war, football made do as best it could: “We all stood together, home and away supporters. There was a good atmosphere. We’d had a war and that’s what it was all about.”

He added: “I can’t understand people causing trouble. There isn’t enough love in this country any more.”

When football returns, Roy Ashton will not be there to see it.

It will be the only time since 1927 – apart from during the war – that he has been unable to go. “My hope is that I can go back to Bramall Lane on my 100th birthday.”