A TERMINALLY ill cancer patient from Huntingdon has been personally invited to a Manchester United football match by the club’s manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

A TERMINALLY ill cancer patient from Huntingdon has been personally invited to a Manchester United football match by the club’s manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Anne Turnbull has been battling breast cancer for four years and is now being cared for by Macmillan nurses.

The 70-year-old grandmother, who lives with her husband Robert in Queen’s Drive, was recently taken back to her native Manchester to watch an Olympic football match at Old Trafford, the home of her beloved Manchester United, by her son-in-law Martin Furner.

Mrs Turnbull said: “It was out of this world. We arrived just in time and we had VIP treatment. When they pushed my wheelchair into place, the players were just coming onto the pitch. The music was going and it was as though they were welcoming us. I couldn’t believe it – I burst into tears. The match was brilliant.”

When they got home, Martin e-mailed the club to thank them for their hospitality – and a little while later he received the letter from Sir Alex who said: “I believe that you are a massive Manchester United fan and I would like to invite you to a game. I have arranged a place on our wheelchair platform with an adjoining seat for your guest with my compliments.

“I do hope that you enjoy the whole experience of your visit to Old Trafford and, hopefully, a very enjoyable game.”

Mrs Turnbull said: “It was a complete shock to get the letter – I couldn’t believe it.

“The last time I went to see one of their matches, I was 17. I was in the WRAF and five of us went – all in our uniforms. I had been going with my father since I was 12.”

Mrs Turnbull said she never misses her team on television and also watches all of England’s games.

Her favourite player?

“Rooney,” she said. “He’s my favourite, everybody always says ‘No, no, no!’ but he is.”

Mrs Turnbull will go to the match with Martin on September 29. It is a Premiership fixture against London club Tottenham Hotspur – Martin’s favourite team.

Mrs Turnbull’s husband Robert, also 70, cares for his wife, despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

He said: “I met her in Manchester, when we were both in the RAF. We have been married now for 51 years.

“When she got the letter she was over the moon – just flabbergasted.”

He added: “My wife has been so brave. She is battling on.”