Jonathan Fear, a lifelong Villa fan from Birmingham has today won the title of Britain’s Biggest Football Fan from Official Sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, Continental Tyres.

He won the hearts of the nation in a public vote. All four semi-finalists posted videos on www.continentalsbiggame.co.uk telling their story and pleading with the public to be named the UK’s Biggest Fan.

Over 5,000 people voted in the competition, and Jonathan won with a staggering 45 per cent of the vote. He won people over with his heartfelt story of going against doctor’s orders before a major operation to attend a game, thinking it may be his last.

In 1994, after three years of constant doctors’ appointments, he was diagnosed with a rare brain hernia in December, and immediately made a priority for a life-saving brain operation a few weeks later, in January.

A lifelong Villa supporter and season ticket holder, he knew the last game before the operation was at home against Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Day and he was determined to go.

He was living at home at the time and his parents begged him not to go as the doctors advised him against it saying he was putting his life at risk.

His condition meant that if his spinal pressure was raised it could cause major problems. However, he realised that this might be his last chance to see his beloved team play, which made him even more determined.

His friends all offered to drive him but he insisted on going the way he always went, under his own steam, and made his way to his season ticket seat.

He even had a note in his pocket, giving his parent’s details in case something was to happen – his Paddington Bear 'this way up and please return to...' information!

Jonathan said: "The match was awful - we lost 1-nil. However, it was an incredible feeling being there, looking around the place I love best and thinking it may be the last time I ever see it. It was worth it and I would do it again."

Luckily, his operation was a success, although his recovery time was long and he couldn’t return to Villa Park for two years.

He is still a dedicated fan and runs the largest independent Villa fan site (Vital Villa) in the UK.

On winning the title and a once in a lifetime holiday to South Africa, Jonathan said: "I am absolutely thrilled to win. For something nice to come out of such a grizzly situation is brilliant.

"At the time I wasn’t doing it for any other reason than my love for the team, and it’s nice for that to be recognised."

As an official 2010 FIFA World Cup™ sponsor, Continental Tyres began the search for the UK’s Biggest Fan in March.

He now wins a holiday to South Africa worth over £7,000.

He beat off competition from Carrie Hobbs, who delayed a c-section to watch Spurs play; Chris Sagar, who went to a football match instead of his wedding; and Rob Forbes, who left the UK in October last year to swim, run and cycle all the way to South Africa to get to the World Cup.

The competition has been supported by the Federation of Football Supporters (FSF). David Rose, and Mark Longden from the FSF were on the judging panel.