A TEENAGER who was badly beaten up and left with a broken arm was treated to a surprise visit – from Bury FC manager David Flitcroft.

Shae Cathcart, aged 13, has stitches and wires in his right arm following the assault in Bury.

Shae and his family have been left shocked by the attack but were cheered up by the visit from the Shakers boss.

Craig Cathcart, Shae’s dad, said: “It was great to have him round to see Shae and a big surprise as well.

“We knew somebody from Bury FC was coming but we didn’t know it was going to be the manager.

“So when we saw him walking to the house we thought, ‘wow, okay’. They talked about football and he asked Shae how he was doing and also asked him about his other interests outside of football.”

The 46-year-old added: “David’s visit has cheered Shae up massively and given him a big boost, it was a really nice thing to do.”

As well as being a huge Bury fan who watches nearly every home game at Gigg Lane, Shae is a keen guitarist and Mr Flitcroft has invited him to visit the club’s training ground at Carrington, in Trafford, to meet the team and play his guitar for them.

Shae said: “It was really amazing meeting David Flitcroft. He was great to talk to and he invited me to come and meet the team, which will be really good. It really made me feel better when he came round.”

Mr Flitcroft decided to make the visit after the teenager’s junior football team manager Tweeted Bury FC about Shae.

He said: “I've got kids that age myself and you wouldn't wish it on anyone what has happened to their family.

“He has broken his arm, he has got a pin in it, he has got wires in it. The kid's a good footballer, he's good at guitar but he can't do any of that – he's stranded at home.

“It's appalling to think that it does go on and that it has happened in our town. He's left a big impression on me the kid.

“We tried to surprise him. It's something that touched me because if my lad went out innocently to the pictures and came back in the state that Shae has come back I would be devastated.

“If we can make his life better and get him back on the right path. It's a fantastic family and all credit to his family for getting him through it.”

Shae received his injuries after being attacked near the loading bay between Argos and PC World in Angouleme Retail Park around 6.10pm on Friday, September 23.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting the reference number 1964 of that date.