Peter Bolton: one club, one love

He has visited 40 countries, traveled to five continents. This is not the story of a traveler, but of a simple cab driver from England, who loves soccer very much. Since 1974, Peter Bolton has not missed a single game of the English soccer club “Manchester United”, for the sake of it he did not even go to his brother’s wedding.

“Manchester United” is one of the most popular clubs, which has many fans around the world. However, English fan Peter Bolton certainly stands out among them. Since 1974, Peter has not missed a single game of the club, be it home or away games. Soccer has been an integral part of his life since birth. And Peter’s family has to put up with it. As Bolton himself told in various interviews, his wife Frances knew from the very beginning that he was a fan.

“When I met my wife at a disco in 1976, she asked me if I was going to be here next week? No, we’re playing Spurs away,” I replied. We got married in 1979, I chose one of those beautiful June days, because there were no games then!”

They have been married for almost 40 years, but Frances has only been to one Red Devils match with him.

“In that match United lost. After that, she never came to any more matches. She only looks at the result so she knows what kind of mood I’m going home in!”

Peter even missed his brother Alan’s wedding, as his club was playing that day.

“He wasn’t upset, we’re even laughing about it now. Anyway that marriage didn’t last long and he got married again. This time the wedding was in June when there were no games, so I went for it this time.”

He himself realizes that many people think he’s weird and even crazy. “I don’t go to games just to say I did it. I want to go to games because I love it. I love Manchester United.”

However, Peter still had to miss one match of his team, but not by his own will – because of visa problems. It happened during United’s away match in the Champions League against Rostov.

“I was devastated and felt strange, because I couldn’t remember the last time I watched a match on TV”

After that, he follows the premature receipt of his visa. And informs other fans:

“Peter has had a love of soccer and Manchester United since he was a kid – from his father and grandfather. They had season tickets to Manchester games and took 6-year-old Peter to a Red Devils game in the early 60s.

“There was an FA Cup final in 1963 where Manchester played Leicester. But only my dad and grandfather could go to it, as we only had two tickets and I had to stand outside with my mom and brother.”

He didn’t miss a single FA Cup final after that.

To every match, wherever it is played, Bolton brings with him a flag that reads, “One Love, MUFC.” As Bolton tells it, his wife is not a big fan of the flag, which is not surprising.
“However, putting ‘three loves’ on it would look weird,” commented Peter. The three loves in Peter’s life are his wife Frances and their daughter Anne-Marie. And the latter is already obvious.

Soccer has helped Peter through some of the most difficult times of his life. Two years ago, his wife suffered a stroke.

“I was really helpless then. I spent 12 hours by her side, after which the doctors said that right now I couldn’t help her and I’d better go home and rest…”

However, Peter went where he has been going for more than 50 years – to a Manchester United game.

“I know it sounds a bit strange that I went to the match while my wife was fighting for her life. But I found solace in the United game. It helped me deal with the pressure that night, as it has for years. Watching Manchester United matches is a way of life for me…”

United’s youth team beat Liverpool that night. After the game he was left all alone, fearing for his wife’s future and pondering what if his wife lost her fight? Fortunately, she won, but a stroke left the right side of her body paralyzed and speech problems developed. There was a long road to recovery ahead, but Peter was there for his wife.

“I worked as a cab driver for 30 years. I quit my job, sold my cab and became my wife’s guardian after this incident.”

However, even after the experience, he continues to attend his favorite team’s matches. Of course, Peter reflected on the fact that one day he would not have the money to go to a match. “However, until then, I won’t stop. I just love it too much!”

Peter has been to so many games of his favorite team over the years, but the most memorable match of his life was on March 21, 1984 during the Cup Cup Winners’ Cup between Manchester City and Barcelona:

Throughout the years, only one thing has been constant in Peter’s life – his dedication to the club. Whether it’s a youth team game or the Champions League final, the man with the moustache, wearing a Manchester United shirt and carrying the “One Love, MUFC” flag will definitely be there!