Steven Brindley, a Manchester United superfan and well-known steward for over 25 years, tragically died after a battle with a brain tumour. His son is ensuring his memory lives on.
James with dad and Manchester United steward Steven Brindley
James with dad and Manchester United steward Steven Brindley(Image: James Brindley)
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James Brindley was close to death and was told he'd never walk or play football again. Aged in his 20s, he was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that saw him plunged into a coma and intensive care where he remained for months.
Guillain-Barré syndrome, which attacks peripheral nerves, causes numbness and progressive muscle weakness which can lead to paralysis, long-term nerve damage, or breathing difficulties.
Now aged 36, fears of losing his mobility are a distant memory. Playing football 'better than ever before', he has recently taken up running following the tragic loss of his dad Steven Brindley, now planning a major feat to raise money for causes close to his dad's heart.
Steven lost his gruelling battle with a brain tumour last year. A Manchester United superfan, and steward with the club for more than 25 years, the dad-of-three 'bravely fought on' until his tragic death.
United superfan and steward died last year
United superfan and steward died last year(Image: Family Submit)
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Tributes poured out in remembrance of the 65-year-old last September, with former Manchester United players also attending his funeral to remember the man whose blood ran 'Red' through and through.
He was diagnosed with glioblastoma and fought for two years, undergoing treatments at the Christie Hospital. Despite his deterioration, he remained at his beloved club until his death, even continuing to work at home and away games.
James said that while his dad was dying, he expressed worry for him more than his other siblings, but now wants to 'do him proud', embarking on a major running mission to raise funds in his memory.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, James said: "When my dad had conversations with my sister when he was dying, he told her he was worried about me. He knew me more than anyone. We were best friends and never apart. But everyone has said my dad now would be looking down and smiling.
Steven was fondly remembered as having an 'amazing character'
Steven was fondly remembered as having an 'amazing character'(Image: Family Submit)
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"We are such a close-knitted family all of us, so when the news broke of his cancer we went through all the motions. He did struggle, and it was tough, but my dad never wanted to show us how much he struggled.
"Everyone knew him and everyone loved him. He battled every obstacle and lived way longer than the doctors ever thought it would. He always said 'when your time's up, your time's up', but it's only when it happens to you that it changes your perspective on life.
"My dad knew thousands of people from around the world. He was loved and adored by everyone. Nothing stopped him going to work at United and even working the away games, turning up and it giving him something to focus on."
James is planning on running from Manchester to Liverpool later this year before catching a ferry to the Isle of Man and completing a further 98-mile distance around the island.
Funds will be raised for a local dog shelter, and also for the Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation, set up after the 1958 air disaster in Munich involving Manchester United players.
His dad Steven had regularly gone away on trips to the Isle of Man with his teammates when playing for the Timperley Big Shorts in his younger years, and was able to take his son James for his own stag celebrations. It was the last place they visited together before Steven's death.
"For so long I wasn't motivated," James added. "I went through a marriage breakup, and with losing my dad, it's been so hard. If I could go and change the past, I would in a heartbeat, but I can't. Losing my dad will always be there, and it could eat away at me but that isn't what my dad would want.
James Brindley with his dad
James Brindley with his dad
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"I knew I wanted to do something when the time was right. It's going to take me being fully fit and mentally ready. It's a massive challenge, one of the biggest of my life, over four or five days, but it's in honour of my dad.
"Even though he isn't here, he still gives me the strength to go to work, go out and run, do the best for my children and make him proud. It's achieving something for myself in his memory and me coming out of such a dark place.
"I went every week to watch my dad playing football when I was younger, and there were times in the year when he used to go away with his team to Isle of Man and I always wanted to go. When I got married my dad was able to take me and was my best man. Unfortunately, it was our first and last time."
After Steven's death, tributes flooded social media. The grandad and dad-of-three, who also worked in an Asda and was a well-known face having grown up and lived in Chorlton, remained at his beloved club until last season despite his worsening terminal condition.
He was fondly remembered as a 'community man' with an 'amazing character' who was 'loved by everyone'. As a steward for 25 years, he attended every home and away game with his beloved club.
"United was his passion," James said. "He never stopped until the very end when it was too much for him to physically be able to go. As a family we stayed with him for the last few months and I'd take him out in his wheelchair. It's the hardest thing ever to witness your dad go through that.
"The response when he died was so overwhelming. It was amazing and the news went viral on social media, but there was also that feeling of wishing he'd been here to see it It was bittersweet."