A FIGHTER TO THE FINAL WHISTLE

● Tributes paid to inspirational Ton fan Bryan

MORTON have led a flood of tributes following the death of an inspirational lifelong fan who defied a genetic disorder to follow the club home and away.

Bryan Purdue, who’d had a chronic muscle wasting condition since childhood, has passed away at the age of 45 following a spell in hospital.

When he turned 40 five years ago the Tele reported how Bryan was believed to be one of the longest survivors of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the country.

He raised thousands of pounds for the DMD Pathfinders and Action Duchenne charities and was hailed as a beacon of hope to youngsters diagnosed with the disease, which carries a life expectancy of just 26.

The Gourock man recently became unwell and was taken into the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in October.

He was subsequently diagnosed with sepsis and passed away earlier this week.

In a statement, Morton said: “Everyone at the club was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong Morton fan Bryan Purdue.

“Bryan was as committed a Ton fan as you will meet and was known to many around Cappielow.

“Our thoughts are with Bryan’s family at this sad time.”

Bryan was a former official with the Morton Supporters’ Trust and helped to fundraise for improvements to the disabled fans’ section at Cappielow.

He also arranged an annual supporters match which raised thousands of pounds for the club’s youth academy and last year set up a new Morton Disabled Supporters’ Association.

The football fanatic had for many years been a researcher for the Football

Manager computer game series, compiling detailed profiles on players.

Fellow Ton fans have left many tributes online. Murray McMillan wrote: “Bryan was a fantastic guy, I became friends with him during many social events to raise money to build and improve the disabled facilities at Cappielow.

“There were loads of people involved in the fundraising, but Bryan was always at the forefront of it all.” Brian Campbell posted: “A lovely guy and a committed Ton fan home and away, it would be nice to have a minute’s applause for Bryan at the next home match.” Friend Elinor Khilifi said: “I met Bryan when we were at school, he was a fighter til the end. The most loyal friend and Morton supporter.”

Stuart Duncan said: “Bryan was a fighter. Most boys with his condition usually don’t live beyond their teens. To get into his 40s was a bit of a miracle. I never once heard him complain. Such a sad loss to his family, his team of carers, his friends and his Morton family.”

Ex-Ton player Dean Keenan also paid tribute, saying Bryan was ‘a tremendous supporter’ and that his death was a ‘tragic loss’.

The club’s kitman Derek Lothian said: “Can’t believe it. Such a welcome he gave me when I joined the club. Rest in peace pal.”

When he spoke to the Tele on his 40th, pictured above, modest Bryan, who came from Gourock’s Oxford Avenue and latterly lived independently in his own flat in Greenock, modestly said he did not view himself as a role model for others, despite fundraising exploits such as collecting £10,000 from a charity skydive he organised which was undertaken by a host of his friends in 2014.

One of his carers Liz Fay said at the time: “Bryan’s such an inspiration — he’s come through so much and he’s always happy and positive.

“We’re sure that he is the longest surviving person in the west of Scotland with DMD.

“He’s a beacon for young people who are diagnosed with it that life can, and does, go on.”

Bryan was diagnosed with Duchenne at the age of just six but despite being wheelchair-bound and reliant on a ventilator to breathe, he went on to lead a very busy and active life, including gaining a degree in business IT and working for the former Abbey National bank for several years.

He was a passionate music fan and gig-goer and in recent years took up art and posted his talented mouth painting pieces online.

In his 2017 Tele interview Bryan said: “With the help of my family and my carers I’ve done well to get to where I’ve got.

“I thank them all for all their support over the years, I’m so grateful.”