Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A 75-year-old Liverpool fan who has followed the Reds to every single European final they have appeared in was left in tears after his flight to Kiev was cancelled at the last minute.

Ernie Ashley, from Woolton, has supported Liverpool for 68 years, and tonight’s Champions League clash would have been his thirteenth European final - he said he will now be listening to the game on the radio alone.

Last night, Ernie received the devastating news that his flight to Kiev was cancelled - just hours before he was due to leave for the airport.

Speaking to the ECHO this morning, a heartbroken pensioner said: “This would have been the thirteenth final for me. I was in bed at seven o’clock because I had to be up early for my taxi at 3am.

“I got a call at 10 past seven saying the flight had been cancelled. The girl was in tears telling me and I was in tears with her to be honest with you.”

He added: “There’s definitely something unlucky about 13 finals for me.”

With a ticket to the final but no way of getting to Kiev, Mr Ashley said he can’t bear the idea of going out to watch the match anywhere in Liverpool tonight, and that he’ll be following the game on the radio.

He said: “I’ll be putting the wireless on - my nerves are gone. I’m just so sad that there’s a ticket here and there are some good lads that have not got one.

“I’ll live to see another final under Klopp - that’s the main thing.”

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

The Anfield season ticket holder said he fears it may be too late for him to pass his ticket on to another lucky supporter who is heading to Kiev.

He said: “Here I am stuck with my match ticket. I’d love to go down to the airport and give it to a genuine fan but you don’t know in this day and age - they might sell it over the odds and it would come back to me.

“I could lose my season ticket. I’ve been watching them for 68 years, I don’t want that to happen. It breaks my heart, the Reds fans, good lads with no tickets, and there’s me here with a ticket. I’m scared to go down and give it to someone in case it goes in the wrong hands.”

Hundreds more football fans were left stranded after another Liverpool to Kiev flight was cancelled last night.

Myriad Travel announced that one of their chartered flights set for the Champions League final would not be able to travel this morning.

Passengers booked on JTA flight number 1 from Liverpool John Lennon Airport at 6am were told of the news just after 6pm yesterday.

Liverpool Football Club released a statement claiming the cancelled flight was operated by Air Partner Ltd and booked through Myriad Travel and Crown Travel.

Myriad travel is based in Woolton and Crown Travel is based in Allerton.

A spokesperson said: “Liverpool FC has been made aware of the cancellation of a further charter flight to Kiev operated by Air Partner Ltd and booked through travel agents Myriad Travel and Crown Travel.

“As with those affected by the cancelled or rearranged World Choice Sport flights, supporters due to travel to Kiev from Liverpool John Lennon Airport on flight number SVB116 will also be entitled to apply for a refund of their match ticket for the Champions League final.”

A spokesperson for Myriad Travel said: “We are sorry to advise that FLIGHT No.1 (SVB116) to KIEV has been cancelled by our supplier JTA in the last few hours.

“We have been desperately trying to source an alternative but none are available. Flight refunds will be issued ASAP. THE OTHER 3 FLIGHTS ARE NOT AFFECTED.”

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

The tweet also included a statement from JTA that claims the charter provider do not currently hold the correct licence to fly.

Supporters were sent a document from Myriad Travel last night which appeared to come from the provider JTA travel.

It read: “It is with great regret we have to advise of the cancellation of your upcoming flight to Kiev.

“The aircraft charter provider has notified us that the aircraft does not have the correct licence to fly and has refused to provide any further assistance or suitable alternative.

“Jta are the agent of air partner and have exhausted all alternate options due to such late notice and therefore cannot provide an alternative flight due to aircraft availability and slots available at such a late stage.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

“This is no reflection on your reputable independent travel agent Myriad & Crown Travel you have booked via, who we have worked extensively with to try secure alternatives for you.

“A full refund of all monies paid for flights will be reimbursed to your agent and we cannot express our sincere apologies and regret for this cancellation.”

A spokesperson for Air Partner said: “We deeply regret that the original aircraft was not able to fly. On Thursday morning, we offered a number of alternative aircraft solutions to the travel agent that contracted us, but they declined them, and we fully refunded the travel agent.”

The Liverpool ECHO has contacted Crown Travel for a response.

The news comes after hundreds of fans who had booked with World Choice Sports were delivered a devastating blow on Thursday when it was announced that three planes bound for Kiev were cancelled.