SEEING Ipswich Town grab a last-minute winner against Bolton on Saturday capped an “unforgettable weekend” for lifelong Blues fan Tris Monk.

And being there to witness Carlos Edwards’ goal was all down to the generous spirit of Ipswich substitute Tyrone Mings.

Before the game Mr Monk tweeted the 19-year-old footballer to wish him good luck ahead of the crucial clash at Portman Road.

In his tweet the 24-year-old mentioned he would not be at the match because he was “skint” and couldn’t afford a ticket.

Mr Monk thought nothing more of it and prepared for a shopping trip with wife Char, 25, and daughters Lara, 3, and four-year old Kate-lynn.

However, little did he know that Mings was busy making calls and sorting out tickets for Tris to go along.

Mings tweeted back asking the Mendlesham-born fan if he could get to the game, and after Mr Monks said he could, the defender told him two complimentary tickets were waiting for him at the ground.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Mr Monk. “It came completely out of the blue. It was an absolutely quality day – and Town won!”

Mr Monk, of Haverhil and his friend Simon Wyse, from Sudbury, were even joined by Mings’ injured team-mate Anthony Wordsworth – who fractured three vertebrae in his back last month – in the Sir Alf Ramsey stand.

“We got the tickets from the main ticket office. On the envelope, it said ‘From Tyrone’, and it had his autograph.

“Footballers get a bit of a bad press and people are quick to criticise.

“But I think they do a lot of good charity work and I think what Tyrone did just goes to show that footballers do care a lot about the fans.”

Mr Monk could not afford to go to the match as he is saving for a deposit on a new flat.

But Town’s 1-0 win on Saturday gave him good reason to cheer.

He said: “It’s been a brilliant weekend – I will never forget it.”

Mings said: “I’m glad Tris had a good day and it was a good result for him and other Town fans.

“I’m delighted I was able to help.”