Just the ticket. . . thanks to Samaritan

DELIGHTED. . . John Simmons with his season ticket

A CHADDERTON vicar’s prayers were answered when a good Samaritan returned his lost Oldham Athletic season ticket.

The Rev John Simmons of Christ Church, Block Lane, lost his £399 ticket and book of vouchers as he returned from Latics’ 4-0 thrashing of Hereford on Sunday.

The loss was even more embarrassing because Mr Simmons is the Latics’ chaplain, and had been encouraging the players on before the game.

But as he led prayers at the evening service on Sunday, an anonymous woman telephoned the vicarage to say she had found it, and would post it through his letter box.

A delighted Mr Simmons said: “I think I lost it probably not far from the house, but there was another telephone call on my phone when I got back from the service, so I could not even do 1471 to get her number.

“And I wasn’t around when she pushed it through the door — it appeared on the floor.

“If I hadn’t found it I suppose I would have had to pay for another one.”

Mr Simmons (53) has been a Latics’ fan since he was in his teens and lived in Chadderton. He watches games from the upper tier of the Pentagon Vauxhall Stand.

And when he moved down south he still went to away games.

The football-loving clergyman returned to his Oldham roots in 2005 and was given charge of Oldham’s largest parish as vicar of Christ Church, Block Lane, Chadderton; St Saviour’s and Chadderton Community Church.

Mr Simmons, a father-of-four, became Latics chaplain in April and is delighted to get the season ticket back.

He added: “I was very stupid to lose it and I am greatly relieved that it it hs been returned. Obviously I have no idea who the kind person is .

“It would be lovely to meet her and give her my personal thanks, and if she is interested perhaps take her to watch us play Leicester at the top of the table clash at Boundary Park this Saturday.”