Shropshire Star

WATCH: Wolves stars wish 92-year-old fan happy birthday in touching video

Lifelong Wolves fan Jim Payne received quite the shock for his 92nd birthday.

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Jim with his new Wolves shirt

The stalwart Wanderers supporter from Brierley Hill was surprised with a special, minute-long video of top Wolves players wishing the great-grandfather many happy returns.

And the kind-hearted man who organised it all was someone he had never even met before.

Manny Singh Kang waited outside Molineux for nearly three hours to capture the footballers on camera.

Manny Singh Kang, centre, with sons Jeevan, 18, and 13-year-old Satnam

A friend of Jim's granddaughter, Gemma, he had been asked if he could just pop in and pick up a new Wolves shirt as a birthday gift - but he decided to go that extra mile.

Gemma, who has only known Manny for six months after meeting at the gym, said: "I knew I wanted to get Grandad a Wolves shirt for his birthday, so I asked Manny if he could get one for me as he was already going to get one for himself.

"But bless him, he waited for about two or three hours after the Burnley game on Sunday and got the players as they were leaving to wish Grandad a happy birthday on film."

The video shows players Diogo Jota, Conor Coady, Ruben Neves, John Ruddy, Willy Boly and others holding up Jim's new Wolves shirt and giving him their best wishes on his special day.

WATCH the birthday greetings

And when the 92-year-old sat down to watch the personalised birthday film with all his favourite players, he was reduced to joyful tears.

The great-grandfather said: "I was so shocked when I saw the video and I am so grateful to Manny for getting the players wishes and then my granddaughters for putting this video together. I've been a Wolves supporter since 1946 and to have this is just brilliant. I'm so happy."

Gemma, aged 33, added: "He was so shocked, he got a bit teary. It was a big thing for him really. He couldn't believe it. He may be 92 but he's still as sharp as a tack.

"He wants to show everyone. He got me to put it on his iPad so he could show everyone at bingo."

She said she couldn't believe the kindness of her friend Manny, who she had only known for six months.

"We struck up a good friendship and regularly run together," she said. "We're actually training for a half marathon together too. He's one of those people who will do anything for anyone. He did this purely out of the kindness of his heart.

"He's never even met my Grandad before, but we're arranging for them to meet for the first time now."