95-year-old lifelong Fulham FC fan’s wish comes true

 

After decades of support, a Harrow care home resident had a ball when he returned to watch his favourite football team.

Albert ‘Bert’ Standing, a 95-year-old resident at Care UK’s Buchanan Court, on Sudbury Hill, and one of the longest-standing and oldest Fulham FC fans, enjoyed VIP treatment during his visit to the Craven Cottage Stadium to watch his favourite team take on Crystal Palace.

Bert's love of football started young, and nothing could stop him from attending a game, not even during World War II when the Blitz took place in West London. The games still carried on, and Bert was there in the stands to cheer his team on. Bert and his cousin Anthony enjoyed watching the games together and held season tickets nearly every year between 1960 and 2014.

Sadly, Anthony passed away in 2018, and Bert’s biggest wish was to experience one last match to reconnect with some of his most cherished memories.

The team at Buchanan Court reached out to Fulham FC to organise a special trip to the ground and help fulfil Bert’s wish. On the day, the club pulled out all the stops to ensure he had the full VIP experience. Bert was given the opportunity to take part in the pre-match interview and was presented with special cufflinks as a keepsake from the club.

Although his beloved team suffered a 2-0 defeat on the day, nothing could’ve dampened Bert’s spirit as he cheered his beloved Fulham team on from the stands.

Bert’s special day was part of Care UK’s Wishing Tree initiative, which enables residents to put forward their wishes to revisit old hobbies or try something completely new. Whether it’s a fish and chip supper, a skydive or watching a football match, no wish is too big or too small.  

Commenting on the game, Bert said: “It was good to see Fulham again. Though they lost, it brought back memories of the crowd cheering the team on.”

Esther Adams, Home Manager at Buchanan Court, said: “Bert is a big Fulham fan, and we knew we had to grant his wish of seeing one last game to support his favourite team.

“The game brought back many memories for Bert of time spent with his cousin watching matches, and he had such an incredible time. I’d like to say a big thank you to Fulham FC and the team here at Buchanan Court, who helped make granting Bert’s wish possible.”

Buchanan Court provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema room, bar and hair and beauty salon, and there is plenty of space both indoors and out for relaxation and recreation.