Morton superfan stranded 200 miles from home hitches ride on team bus

A football fan who was stranded more than 200 miles away after a match hitched a once-in-a-lifetime ride home - on the team bus.

Martin Witherow, 15, was among a group of around 50 die-hard Greenock Morton fans when the car he was travelling in broke down.

The breakdown company laid on a taxi to get him and four other supporters home, but there was only room for four people.

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The teenager from Gourock, Inverclyde, was faced with the prospect of being stuck more than four hours from home without any transport.

Martin Witherow got a lift on Morton FC club bus after the car he was traveling in broke down in Peterhead. Picture: SWNSMartin Witherow got a lift on Morton FC club bus after the car he was traveling in broke down in Peterhead. Picture: SWNS
Martin Witherow got a lift on Morton FC club bus after the car he was traveling in broke down in Peterhead. Picture: SWNS

But his beloved team stepped in and offered him a lift on board the official team bus - after their 3-0 win against Aberdeenshire side Peterhead on November 27.

Martin found himself among the players, management and backroom staff, as well as goalkeeper Derek Gaston, who he enjoyed a quiz with.

And he chatted with manager and former Rangers assistant coach Jonatan Johansson.

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Speaking of the memorable experience, the Clydeview Academy pupil said: “It was very unexpected. I felt like a player.

“I did quizzes with Gaston, spoke to Jonatan Johansson and was talking to the players about the match.

“Thankfully they got a good result. It really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The players also chatted to the star-struck youngster about his Ton TV online Morton video blog on YouTube.

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Martin was even invited to enjoy the post-match meal of rice and fish.

Club chairman Crawford Rae and son Stuart gave Martin a lift for the final leg of the journey back home where he was met at 3.15am by relieved mum Anne.

She said: “He’s been grinning like that ever since.

“I got a call at midnight from him saying he was on the players’ bus because the car had broken down and the taxi could only take four of them.

“Someone approached Morton’s media officer, Jonathan Mitchell, and Crawford said it was fine for him to go on the bus.

“Martin came back beaming.

“He was so excited going through everything.

“It was very good of the Crawfords to allow this and most appreciated by us.

“This was definitely taking Morton in the Community to a new level.”