Injured Shropshire soldier's Premier League delight

Heroic Shropshire soldier Ricky Furgusson joined Manchester United's Premier League winning celebrations when he carried the trophy on to the pitch.

Following the club's 4-2 victory over Blackpool yesterday life-long Manchester United fan and county Military Cross winner Corporal Furgusson, 25, was chosen to carry the solid sterling silver trophy on to the pitch at Old Trafford with two other soldiers – in front of more than 75,000 people.

"It was an amazing experience," said Corporal Furgusson, of 4th Battalion The Rifles, who lost both legs, an eye and fingers on both hands in a bomb blast in Afghanistan last year.

"It was organised through Headley Court Military Hospital because the club wanted soldiers to deliver the trophy on to the pitch. As a Manchester United fan I really wanted to do it and said 'yes' straight away. I was really excited.

"We watched the game, then just before the end of the match they moved us into the back of the tunnel."

Corporal Furgusson, of Hilton Close, Stirchley, added: "There was a secret room where the cup was being kept. We held it to get used to the weight. It's heavier than it looks."