Quacking day to turn 100-years-old

Life-long Preston North End fan May Robinson was joined by the club’s mascot Deepdale Duck at a surprise celebration.

The 100-year-old lived on Meadow Street, in Preston, since 1946 before moving to Greenfield Nursing Home in Ingol.

The party at The Guild Merchant pub on Tag Lane, down the road from the home, was organised by close friend Julie Hulme, who says May was completely shocked by the surprise.

“She thought she was just going for a quiet meal and when she turned up all her family and friends were there,” Julie said. “The landlord made her feel very welcome and Deepdale Duck appeared to greet her with a bunch of flowers and a hug.

“I think she was a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing but once she’d got over that she was very excited to see everyone, especially people she hadn’t seen for more than a year”

Julie explains that after living on Meadow Street for nearly 70 years, May gained the titled of “Queen” of the street.

She was also a regular on the Deepdale terraces and Julie says she never misses a game.

“She’s absolutely PNE mad,” said Julie. “You ask her anything about the club and she’ll know. She used to go to almost every game but if she can’t do that she’ll always listen to it on the radio. She loved having Deepdale Duck there and he was really good with her too.”

May was also received a birthday card signed by all the Preston North End players and Julie says she enjoyed her birthday treat.

“In the end she really enjoyed it and we had a really nice meal,” she said. “It was a great end to a special day.”