Coventry City football fan devastated after his spaniel chews through Championship play-off tickets

A Coventry City football fan has been left devastated after his eight-month-old cocker spaniel chewed through his Championship play-off tickets.

Jim Lennon, 63, said his heart stopped when he saw that his dog Leo had shredded the tickets that were posted through his letter box.

Lifelong fan Jim had booked tickets for him and his grandson Jacob, 14, for Sunday’s match against Middlesbrough.

But Leo had other ideas when they were posted through the door of his home in Coventry on Thursday morning.

Jim, who has been attending Sky Blues matches for 55 years, said: ‘I went pale, the blood just drained from me.’

Lifelong fan Jim Lennon, 63, (pictured with his dog Leo) had booked tickets for him and his grandson Jacob, 14, for Sunday’s match against Middlesbrough

Jim said his heart stopped when he saw that his cocker spaniel had chewed the tickets that were posted through his letter box

He added: ‘I was panicking when I saw the mess in front of the door. My heart stopped.’

Coventry are chasing their third promotion in six seasons and a return to the top flight of English football for the first time since 2001.

The side booked their place in the Championship play-offs on Bank Holiday Monday with a point at Middlesbrough.

But Jim, who had popped out to pick up some bits to do DIY around the house, feared that he’d miss out after seeing the mess.

Pictured: Eight-month-old Leo. Jim said: ‘There was two other letters which he’d shredded. He’s never done that before. But he’s eight months old and he’s got his new teeth so he’s just getting to grips with them.’

He said: ‘There were two other letters which he’d shredded. He’s never done that before.

‘But he’s eight months old and he’s got his new teeth so he’s just getting to grips with them.’

Luckily, Jim was able to piece together the sought-after tickets and take them to the club’s ticket office, where staff printed new ones for him.

He added: ‘I’ve ordered tickets for the away leg already, so I’ll have to keep an eye out for them.’