The pair, Barrie Newman and Peter Wheat, are lifelong AFC Bournemouth fans and current residents at The Aldbury, a dementia care home in Poole.
Their wish to revisit their former club was made a reality by the care home staff.
The visit to the Vitality Stadium was made even more special by the Cherries‘ 2-1 victory over Brighton.
The Bournemouth team Barrie Newman played in during the 1950s. Barry is fourth from left in the back row(Image: Colten Care)
Barrie was a professional player for Bournemouth in the 1950s, while Peter was part of the club’s under-18s youth team.
To prepare for the outing, the duo welcomed club historian Neil Vacher and accessibility and engagement manager John Jennings to their care home.
The visitors shared a cup of tea with the former players and discussed all things AFC Bournemouth.
On match day, Barrie and Peter, along with Colten Care companion Melissa Siat and driver and first aider Paul Hilliam, travelled in a minibus to the stadium.
The former players had seats in the main stand, right in front of the pitch, allowing them to enjoy all the action.
Barrie Newman, centre, and Peter Wheat, residents at Colten Care’s Poole dementia care home The Aldbury, at the Vitality Stadium for the AFC Bournemouth-Brighton match(Image: Colten Care)
After the match, Barrie said: “I am so happy and grateful.
“What a wonderful event.
“The stadium has changed a lot, looks a lot bigger now and the game was a lot faster.”
Peter added: “It was an eventful, clean game.
“All the goals were good.
“I saw Bournemouth play many times when they were in Second Division.
“I never thought I’d ever get a chance to see them play in the Premier League.”
Colten Care companion Melissa Siat said: “It was a lovely experience to help Barrie and Peter revisit the stadium and see the Cherries play again.
“They were both very excited and enjoyed the whole match.
“Peter also appreciated his steak and ale pie during the break.
“A huge thank-you to everyone at AFC Bournemouth, including the helpful and attentive wellbeing staff, for enabling us to grant these two ex-players’ wishes.”