Partially blind fan heading to Exeter FA Cup match

A 12-year-old football fan who is slowly losing his sight is setting off to watch his team play in Manchester.

Following an appeal, his local club the Rockbeare Rockets rallied together to get Oliver and his family tickets for the FA Cup third-round match between Manchester City and Exeter City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Oliver, who lives in Exeter, was diagnosed with an hereditary optic neuropathy causing him to lose the majority of his vision in a short space of time.

He said he was blind in his left eye and the middle of his right eye was a "complete blur".

Mum Kirsty and grandmother Linda said his condition came on "very quickly" but Oliver never gave.

Kirsty said: "He's a very determined young lad. He just cracks on and gets on with it."

Oliver is part of the under 13s Rockbeare Rockets, the club who helped get him the tickets, and although he does not play in the matches, he has been given the role of "number two coach".

Kirsty said: "If it hadn't been for Wayne and Hayley from Rockbeare Rockets, their associates and Exeter City, then we don't know how we would have done it.

"He still has a bit of a kick about with the sight he has left so he's still heavily involved.

"He's not willing to give up his football."

Oliver said he supported both teams and was looking forward to visiting Manchester for the first time. His coach, Wayne, told him the news on Thursday evening.

Kirsty, Linda and Oliver will set off for Manchester on Friday where they will stay in a hotel and then attend the match.

Oliver added: "I think the game is going to go pretty well.

"I think Exeter City will stand their ground.

"It will be the first time going to the Etihad Stadium, so that will be a really good experience."

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].