A DEVASTATED Liverpool fan broke down in tears the moment he realised he would not get to see his beloved team play in the Champions League final, despite having paid £100 for a ticket.

Marsden man Ben Whitehead was told the plane that was due to take him to Greece for Wednesday's match against AC Milan couldn't take off.

The 22-year-old was forced to swap the atmosphere of the Olympic Stadium in Athens for a pub in Huddersfield.

He said: "I didn't know what to do. I just sat down and pulled my scarf over my head."

A fuel gauge problem on the Jet Time Airways plane meant Ben and 150 other Liverpool fans with tickets were stranded in England.

He said: "We were devastated when we found out. Some people started shouting, some broke down. I was in tears."

On Monday the computer technician paid £599 for a ticket from John Lennon airport, in Liverpool, to Athens.

On matchday he woke at 4.30am and drove to the airport, arriving at 5.30am.

He said: "I had been told the flight was at 9am, but then I was told it would be 12.15pm."

Ben arrived at departure gate 9 at 11.45am but was then informed the flight had been pushed back to 1.15pm, then 2pm.

He said: "I was getting worried because it's a four-hour flight with two hours time difference, so 2.30pm was the latest we could take off and still make the match. And all the time we were waiting we had to watch other fans catching flights over there."

"There had only been three or four police officers there. But just after 2pm about 20 more arrived, so I knew something was up. Then we were told that we wouldn't be going."

A lifelong Liverpool fan, Ben had been to every home Champions League game this season, as well as travelling to see his team play against Chelsea and PSV.

So the news that he wouldn't be able to go to Greece was devastating.

He said: "It was one of the worst days of my life. I work hard and I don't get paid lots and now I'm out of pocket for a flight I didn't get."

Ben is furious with Jet Time. He said: "They didn't seem bothered at all.

"Based on what happened to me, I would advise everybody to steer clear of them because they have ruined what might turn out to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Who knows if Liverpool will get to another final."

Ben drove to Huddersfield and watched the game at The Warehouse at Zetland Street.

And even though Liverpool lost 2-1, he said: "I still wished I had been there."