Workington man hails Uppies and Downies ball in memory of late son

Brian was helped along by his friend Nathan Askew as the ball was hailed by him in memory of his son Carl, who died back in 2012. 

Mr Fearon said: "I've known Nathan for a lot of years and when Nathan got his three balls he said, 'The next one I get is yours.' 

Carl Fearon, the last time he played Uppies and Downies in 2012 (Image: Supplied)

"It was in memory of my son Carl who passed away and we'd always played in the game together, me and my son and Nathan, amongst other people and it was just a nice thing of him to do. 

"I passed the ball out to Nathan, and he made off with it."

Nathan Askew said: "I'm absolutely ecstatic, words can't describe how buzzing I am for Brian.

Nathan and Brian after their win (Image: Supplied)

"It was unreal, it was actually Brian that passed me the ball out and then I had it up my jacket and walked away with it.

"Everyone was panicking and thinking that it was lost, so I walked away with it. I lost the ball because I got stopped by a parked car.

"Lee Dixon ended up with the ball who's a Downie so I was chasing the ball until somebody stopped him. 

Nathan and Brian with the ball (Image: Supplied)

"Lee threw the ball and then I got it off the floor and ran up towards the castle by the Trades Hall by the Blue Dolphin through town. 

"There were a few other Uppies running with us because he passed me the ball he headed up to the castle and as I was heading up towards it, he was there. 

"He was there, hands open, and I said, 'Here you are Bri, Merry Christmas' and gave him the ball."

Brian said that it was his lifelong ambition to get an Uppies and Downies ball and was absolutely delighted to get to hail one this year. 

Brian hailing the ball (Image: Supplied)