'I sold my late dad's diamond ring to get to Villa's Europa League final'

"Barnes took the drastic step to sell the beloved ring after he had success in the ballot to buy a ticket on Tuesday, something he thought would "never ever ever" happen. He said that it was only when his partner Claire reminded him about the ring that a plan was hatched, with Barnes saying he spent his last 20 on fuel to get to Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter."

"The gold ring, set with nine diamonds was bought by his father John Barnes, in 1988. "Everyone loved my dad, the whole family we loved him, he was so generous and used to pay for everything, we never went without," his son remembers. "I still have my dad's wedding ring, and my mum's wedding ring that I will keep forever.""

"Selling the ring was not straightforward though, and Scott had to visit a number of jewellery shops to seal the deal. But then one came up trumps, and he sold the ring, along with a watch, and was paid 550. "When the jeweller gave me the money, I burst into tears in the shop," Barnes said."

"He was very close to his father, but his emotions were heightened further because John had supported him through a gastric bypass in 2009 and the complications that followed, which included sepsis and septicaemia. "I had to learn to walk again, I couldn't do anything, so there was a big gap from going to the Villa," Barnes remembers. And now, despite being registered disabled, he tries to get to every game, whether it is home or away."

A lifelong Aston Villa supporter sold his late father’s diamond ring to afford a ticket for the club’s first European final since 1982. He had success in a ballot for the ticket, but he did not expect it to happen. His partner reminded him of the ring, leading him to spend his last money on fuel to travel to Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The gold ring, set with nine diamonds, was bought by his father in 1988. He visited multiple jewellery shops before selling the ring and a watch for £550, then burst into tears when he received the money. His father had supported him through serious health complications, and he remains determined to attend games despite disability.

Read at www.bbc.com