Ahead of our 4-0 victory over Morecambe at One Call Stadium on Good Friday, Stags’ fan Jerry Jenner was given a day to remember, as he met with manager David Flitcroft prior to kick-off, before leading the teams out of the tunnel.
The 77-year-old was diagnosed with inoperable throat cancer in 2017. At the time, the oncologist said that he did not have much time left, however he has fought bravely for two years with a smile on his face.
His son, Jamie Reynolds, said: “He [Jerry] loves the club with a passion, although he did miss the recent Lincoln game as he had been admitted to hospital.
“Last month, I received a phone call in the night to say he had suffered a haemorrhage and was rushed to Queens Hospital in Nottingham. We thought that the time had come, and he was critically ill.
"It moved me to a point where you understand what people have to go through and live through."
“Yet he somehow defied the inevitable and made a somewhat miraculous recovery.”
Jerry attended the Stags’ victory over Morecambe, and was able to enjoy a moment with the Mansfield first team staff before leading the teams out onto the pitch ahead of the game.
In his post-match interview after watching his side record an emphatic 4-0 win, manager David Flitcroft spoke of the meeting he held with Jerry before kick-off.
“It was moving before the game, as I met a guy, Jerry, who has throat cancer,” he said. “We had ten minutes with him, and you realise what pressure is when you see his family, who have come here today.
“The club have supported him in giving him a fantastic day, and it moved me. It moved me to a point where you understand what people have to go through and live through.
“That gave me my team talk, to go and tell the players how lucky they were to go out there and be in a position we’ve found ourselves in.”
