Burnley off to Wembley: Brain op fan’s goal to be at final (From This Is Lancashire)

Burnley off to Wembley: Brain op fan’s goal to be at final

3:38pm Sunday 17th May 2009 in

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A CLARETS-mad family man who lives in France is hoping to recover from major brain surgery in time to make it to Wembley.

Mike Halshaw, 47, was so confident Burnley would make it to the play-off final he booked a flight to London over four weeks ago.

But when he suffered a brain haemorrhage a few days later, while on holiday in Spain, his chances of watching the match seemed slim.

However, he has made a swift recovery from a six-hour operation and now expects to be in the stand cheering on his beloved Clarets. Mike, originally from Rossendale, moved to Touverac, a hamlet in the Charente region of France, around two years ago. The former human resources manager said he retired there after suffering a brain aneurism two years previously.

Despite being thousands of miles away from Turf Moor, the former Fearns High School pupil has still tracked every one of the team’s results.

Mike said the form Owen Coyle’s men have shown this season inspired him to be “presumptuous” and book a flight weeks ago.

But on Monday, April 27, while in Lloret De Mar with wife Suzanne, daughters Shannon and Jemma, and her boyfriend Jamie, he fell ill again. Following emergency surgery in Barcelona and a gruelling rehabilitation programme, he is now back home in France.

And he said he is now “very optimistic” he will be well enough to get the all-clear in time to travel to Wembley next Monday.

He added: “I was a regular visitor to Turf Moor and would go away with school friends too. It’s really unfortunate that this has happened, but I spoke to my doctor and he seems chuffed with how my recovery is going.

“I’m doing it the right way and listening to the professionals, but I’m doing everything I can to build my strength up.

“I went for a walk earlier today. I want to keep the doctors happy so I can travel to the match safely.

“I’m very optimistic that I’ll make it back for the game There’s no other way to be.”

Family friend Julie Anderton described Mike as the “miracle Claret”.

She added: “Mike took his first steps after the surgery proudly wearing his Burnley shirt.

“He really is amazing for someone who has just had major brain surgery. You never know he may just be able to make Wembley.”