United fan and wife have ashes scattered at Theatre of Dreams
A LIFELONG United fan’s ashes were scattered on the Old Trafford pitch – a few months after Luke Shaw had made his dying wish come true.
William Moore, who had a terminal brain tumour, cried tears of joy when he saw his beloved Reds win the FA Cup by beating Crystal Palace 2-1 in extra time at Wembley in May.
United left back Shaw had read about the family’s struggle to land a cup final ticket in the M.E.N. – and provided one of his own.
The 21-year-old, signed for £27m from Southampton two years ago, said it would be ‘my pleasure to get him to watch the game.’ The act of kindness meant Mr Moore, from Newton Heath, was seated beside the royal box as cap- tain Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick lifted the famous trophy.
In December, William, a retired water board worker, died peacefully aged 80 and on Saturday his family scattered his ashes – together with the ashes of his late wife – at the side of the Old Trafford pitch.
The grandfather had been a regular at Old Trafford until 15 years ago when he became his wife Joan’s full-time carer. She had dementia.
When she died in December, 2015, aged 80, he had more time on his hands and William’s family wanted to indulge his passion for the Reds.
After the M.E.N. published a story about his dying wish to watch the Reds lift the cup one last time, we were flooded with dozens of offers of tickets and help, including one from Shaw.
William’s daughter, Lorraine Phillips, 46, from Glossop, said: “What the M.E.N. did for my dad was just outstanding because we never, ever thought we’d be able to get him there.
“You made one of his wishes come true. If it hadn’t gone in the paper, he wouldn’t have got to the game.
“I can’t thank you and Luke Shaw enough. It was such a nice gesture from him.
“We scattered the ashes of both my mum and dad on Saturday.
“They were both passionate fans and it seemed fitting for them to be with their beloved Reds forever.
“Manchester United were amazing. They were so compassionate and caring, as if they knew they were both special people.
“United have told us that we are free to visit on anniversaries and birthdays and lay flowers where their remains were scattered.”
William became an avowed United fan after meeting and becoming friends with ‘Busby Babe’ Duncan Edwards while the pair did their national service as 18-year-olds.
The pair played football together on their Army base in Oswestry, Shropshire.