Sheffield United fan and popular former teacher cheered out of hospital after coronavirus battle

Retired teacher Ted Elgy, 67, donned his Blades shirt for the occasion – and says he hopes he will soon be fit enough again to watch his beloved United at Bramall Lane.

And Ted, who lives in Worksop has paid tribute to the medics who treated on him during his two week stay in hospital in his battle against COVID-19, saying: “I can’t thank them enough.”They have been absolutely marvellous. Absolutely every one of them has been fantastic. God bless the NHS.”

Ted taught at a number of schools in Sheffield during his career – and can even count Blades hero Billy Sharp among his pupils.

He is now at home recovering in isolation after been discharged from Bassetlaw Hospital.

And he has urged people to continue to follow lockdown rules and social distancing to ensure the nation wins the fight on coronavirus.

“A lot of people have said to me, ‘well done for beating the virus.” I don’t think I’ve beaten it though, because there’s no cure at the moment.

“But I want to show people that there’s light and that people can come through it.

“I’m getting stronger and feeling better but it is going to take time and I am still very much on the mend.”

Ted’s battle with coronavirus began nearly a month ago – when he developed a dry cough.

He said: “It was the start of lockdown and I was going for my daily exercise walks. But after a few days, I started feeling unwell and was coughing.”

He rang 111 and was at first prescribed antibiotics but after completing the course, his condition deteriorated.

“I was on the sofa, I couldn’t move, I felt really unwell and knew I wasn’t right. I wasn’t eating and felt very lethargic.

An ambulance was called and he was taken to hospital and immediately given oxygen before being placed on a ventilator.

Tests confimed he had COVID-19 and he was kept in isolation as NHS medics tended to him around the clock.

“Fortunately, I never went into intensive care,” he said. “They had me on the ventilator for a few days and then I was on oxygen as I gradually got better.

“I didn’t leave that room for two weeks and no one was allowed to visit me.

“But all the doctors and nurses became my family.

“I just want to say thank you to them all. The cleaners, the support workers, everyone. They were all absolutely incredible. I cannot stress it and thank them all enough.”

“People need to keep following the lockdown so we can finally beat this.”

Ted says he has been innudated with messages of support – including from pupils at his former Sheffield schools – Bluestone, Charnock Middle School and Burngreave Primary School – and has also been contacted by fellow Blades fans.

He added: “I’ve been following the Blades home and away since I was a kid.

“Hopefully I will be able to get back to supporting them when the football is back and when I feel well enough.

“I’d been to every game this season and had some great times, so I can’t wait to be able to do it again.”