A care home resident played chair-based football during a visit from an AFC Bournemouth player.
John, a lifelong Cherries fan who lives at Talbot View care home in Bournemouth, met defender James Hill as he visited as part of a special event organised as part of an ongoing partnership between care provider Care South and the football club.
Mr Hill played a game of chair-based football with residents, teaming up with John and fellow supporter Maurice to take on other residents and staff in a friendly match.
Talbot View resident John with AFC Bournemouth footballer James Hill (Image: Care South)
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James Hill, AFC Bournemouth defender, said: “I really enjoyed every moment of my visit to Talbot View.
“I think bringing everyone together to play some football games is such a special experience.
“Not only has John got fantastic knowledge of football, but he’s also got a heart of gold.
“He wished me luck and told me to carry on with what I’m doing on the pitch.
“Hopefully we can push on and achieve something nice for him and the other Talbot View residents to watch in the season ahead.”
AFC Bournemouth legend Steve ‘Fletch’ Fletcher assisted the opposing team.
The afternoon event was led by Steve Cuss and the team from AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust, who host weekly sessions across Care South’s Dorset-based care homes.
Many of the home’s residents won an AFC Bournemouth scarf during the activity for them to keep as a memento from the day.
Talbot View residents and team with AFC Bournemouth footballer James Hill (Image: Care South)
John, who is known at Talbot View for his extensive football knowledge, said: “I used to go to every home game and as many away games as I could get to.
“I’ve met ‘Fletch’ before so it was good to see him again and we talked about some of the matches he played over the years.
“It was brilliant to meet James Hill, who was very nice and down-to-earth.
“He’s a very good player and he’s a got a long throw, although he didn’t play so well at Talbot View, but I still enjoyed having a Cherries player on my team.”
Dawn Hand, home manager at Talbot View, said: “It was a truly special afternoon for our residents, but particularly for John, who has supported AFC Bournemouth for the past 60 years.”
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