Leeds United fan made promotion prediction immediately before he collapsed and died on way home from Elland Road

Leeds United season ticket holder Harold Hawson, 73, was on his way home from a 2-0 loss on Saturday January 11, 2020, with his son Waynn, 50, when he suddenly stopped speaking mid sentence.

His family spoke to the Yorkshire Evening Post last year and described their devastation at his death.

Waynn - who said he was having his 'usual match debrief' with his dad - described the moment he stopped the car near Elland Road and ran to help Harold.

He said: "After the match we got into the car near Old Lane after walking up the "Leeds hill", dad and I were stuck in the post match traffic chaos whilst listening to radio Leeds having our usual match debrief when dad stopped talking mid sentence.

"I looked across the car to see dad in obvious distress, I stopped the car in the middle of the road, ran over to dads side and opened his door.

"I ripped his shirt open to listen to his heart which was beating so fast I couldn't count the beats.

"A man came to my side and asked if we needed help and I asked him to call an ambulance.

"Two women in plain clothes approached and helped me get dad out onto the pavement, at least one was an off-duty nurse and they began CPR immediately."

Waynn said a nurse in plain clothes also assisted with the resus attempt.

He added: "There was a short delay in the ambulance and police getting through the post match traffic but they arrived together.

"The women doing the CPR continued and worked with the ambulance crew and both police officers for over 20 minutes trying to save dad.

"I was at dad's side throughout but after no response the decision to stop was reached and I wanted to get dad off the street and regain him some dignity.

"The ambulance crew cleaned dad up and allowed me to stay in the back of the ambulance with dad whilst his wife was brought from Thorne by car to see him before taking him to Leeds General infirmary.

"We went home straight after the ambulance pulled away with dad."

A year on from the tragic day, the family described their "euphoria" at Leeds United's promotion to the Premier League in 2020 and how Harold was "sure they would do it".

Waynn said his dad had predicted the incredible feat just before his tragic death, despite the team losing the match.

He added: "Even in the car on the way home after watching them lose at home to Sheffield Wednesday immediately before his fatal cardiac event he had absolute faith they would do it.

"I cannot tell you the absolute onslaught of emotions that we experienced the day they got promoted, euphoria right through to sadness and anger that as such a loyal fan he wasn’t granted a few more months to witness it!"

Waynn said the family are still in contact with one of the off-duty nurses who stopped to perform CPR on his dad.

Waynn even meets up with the nurse at home matches.

He added: "A lovely friendship to come out from a tragic event."

Harold, from Thorne, 'loved Leeds United' and his home and car were adorned with Leeds United memorabilia, Waynn said.

He added: "There was never a birthday or fathers day when dad did not get something Leeds United related.

"It would be impossible to put a number on matches attended as dad was a life-long Leeds fan and we both attended home games together since I was seven years old.

"There was never a birthday or fathers day when dad did not get something Leeds United related."

Harold's family have been left devastated and shocked by the sudden loss of Harold.

Waynn said: "Dad was the absolute heart of this family-everything a dad should be and more."

Harold - a retired glass-maker - left behind a wife, four daughters, a son and six grandchildren.

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