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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Rhodri Harrison

Swansea City star Cyrus Christie offers to for pay disabled fan's season ticket

Swansea City star Cyrus Christie has cemented himself as a fan favourite after offering to pay for a disabled fan's season ticket.

Lifelong Swans fan Chris Brown started his own fundraiser in the hope of purchasing his own ticket after financial difficulties meant his family couldn't afford another year.

Having been "trolled and bullied" for his attempts fellow Jack Army fans jumped to his aid and organised their own fundraiser, which Fulham loanee Christie offered to pay in full.

Read more: 'We searched Swansea's largest charity shop and this is what we found'

Chris' friend Liam Roberts set up the fundraiser as he wanted to do something to help someone who "sleeps and breaths everything Swans".

Liam, 25, said: "There's a lot of bullies around that direct hate online towards Chris. It's not right and a lot of people know who he is and he's became quite a recognisable face on game day and I wanted to show bullies never win.

"I put up that message on social media and it's just been shared everywhere. I've had people wanting to help him out and other Jack Army members wanting to chip in."

Chris Brown (left) next to friend Liam Roberts (Liam Roberts)

Within 30 minutes of the appeal for help on social media the campaign had raised enough money to purchase his season ticket for the following season.

Liam, from Port Tennant, added: "I had Swans supporters from everywhere message me about helping. [Cyrus] Christie got in touch with me in the evening and offered to pay in full but by then was all sorted.

"Instead now he's offered to gift him a signed football shirt. It's made Chris' whole year."

Liam became friends with Chris through their shared love of the Swans with the pair regularly speaking at match games alongside speaking online.

Liam said: "Going to Swans games is his life and he's been through a lot in the past. I thought if I could do anything to help him I will.

"It goes to show there are some decent people out there. I wasn't the only one wanting to help. The picture of a footballer offering to help has been shared all over the world and everyone wants him to be a permanent signing now – he's a hero."

The message sent by Cyrus Christie offering support (Liam Roberts)

The footballing story isn't the only one of late to showcase a community's efforts against bullies with a heartwarming response to 13-year-old Joshua Bennett after losing his Champions League football.

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