Carlisle legend Ivor Broadis received a personal letter from Sir Alex Ferguson describing him as one of the "greats of the English game" shortly before the former Manchester United manager took ill.

Ferguson, currently recovering from a brain haemorrhage, wrote to Broadis after reading an article about the 95-year-old in a national newspaper.

One of the most illustrious British managers in history saluted Broadis - England's oldest surviving international player - and also recalled a time when they faced each other on the pitch.

Sir Alex's letter reads: "Dear Ivor, having read the article on you in the Daily Mail , I felt compelled to write to you to send you my best wishes now that you have reached 95!

"It was nice that you mentioned my name when you played for Queen of the South against Queen's Park in 1959, in fact I think it was on 31st December, my 18th birthday.

"I should remember, as you whacked us 7-1, the only good part was I scored!

"My first Scotland v England game was at Hampden in 1954 when you won 4-2, you and Tom Finney tore us apart, Kevin and Nicholls were England strikers.

"Looking at your photo in the Mail you are looking well and I wish you many more years of good health and happiness.

"You were truly one of the great players of the English game."

Broadis and his family shared the letter as the former Carlisle United player-manager spoke to The Cumberland News for a special interview about his remarkable career.

Now living in Linstock, near Carlisle, he won 14 caps for England, including three in the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland.

Broadis, meanwhile, has spoken of his support for ex-Blues midfielder Tony Hopper, who is suffering from motor neurone disease.

The legend asked the Mail to donate to Hopper's MND Association charity appeal when giving an interview in March.

Broadis said: "When people want to talk to me about the game, I say to them, there's a former Carlisle player [suffering from this disease], and would they like to give a donation.

"It's for a good cause, and he [Hopper] has got three children as well."

*The full interview with Ivor Broadis is in The Cumberland News today.