SUPERFAN centurion John Beattie spent his 100th birthday in style by roaring his beloved Morton to victory with his adoring family at his side.

The diehard supporter has been following the Ton since he was a boy and despite his advancing years spends most Saturday afternoons on the terraces.

It is one of the many footnotes in an amazing life that has seen the Greenock man serve with General Montgomery’s forces in the African desert, involved in the Battle of Britain and visit the Palestinian territories.

Speaking to the Tele on the day his telegram came from the Queen, John, born in the months that followed the outbreak of the First World War, revealed his secrets to staying young.

The Second World War hero, who lives in Royal Court, said: “My motto is take one day at a time, I have always said that.

“I go to my local, the Green Oak, for a pint every day and I put on my line at the bookies.

“I like a malt whisky as well.

“I have always had a season ticket for Morton.

“This is the first season though that I haven’t made all the games.

“But I had a wonderful day at Cappielow on Saturday.” John’s love of Morton goes all the way back to 1922, when he attended his first game.

He has served as president of the Morton Supporters’ Association and travelled across the country to support the team.

The former shipyard worker has also spent many summers volunteering to keep the pitch and the stadium in working order.

His four children — Thomas, 69, Christine, 64, Margaret, 57, and Jacqueline, 46 — have all played their parts as well, selling matchday programmes and working in the ground’s pie stalls.

John, who was born in Cathcart Street on 24 November 1914, left school and worked in various jobs about the town before joining the Army in 1938.

He served as a sergeant cook in Palestine with his regiment, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

At the outbreak of the Second World War he ended up in Crete and Sicily, before serving in the Western deserts of Africa, then Italy and at the Battle of Britain.

He met his wife Agnes before the start of the war and they married in 1944.

They shared their life together until Agnes died 17 years ago.

At the grand age of 100, John still lives on his own and looks after himself with the support of his close-knit family, including his 13 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

John, who also had a birthday visit from Provost Robert Moran, said: “I have been overwhelmed by the birthday messages from everyone.

“The Green Oak had a party for me and when I was up dancing I still felt like a teenager!” When asked what was the most amazing thing about their dad, his family as one said he was ‘simply the best’.

His youngest daughter Jacqueline added: “He is just amazing and really is something else.”