Chelsea FC Legend Alan Relives His Stamford Bridge Memories

Ashberry Wishing Tree: Alans Virtual Visit to Stamford Bridge

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We recently had the absolute privilege of granting Alan’s Ashberry Wish at Broomy Hill Nursing Home, and it was a day filled with memories, emotion and a whole lot of Chelsea pride.

Alan has an incredible footballing past. Between 1962 and 1965, he played as a centre forward for Chelsea Football Club, proudly wearing the number 5 shirt. His wish was to return to Stamford Bridge and relive his time at the club he loved so deeply.

While the journey itself would have been a little too challenging, that certainly didn’t dampen our enthusiasm or determination to make his wish come true.

Instead, the team organised a virtual tour of Stamford Bridge, allowing Alan to revisit the stadium, the pitch and the memories that meant so much to him. To make the moment even more special, Alan was surprised with a beautiful gift kindly sent by Chelsea FC, including a club scarf, along with a commemorative plaque and tankard from all of us at Ashberry Healthcare.

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Alan was absolutely thrilled and told us he loved every minute of his time at Chelsea- a joy that was written all over his face throughout the day.

This special moment was made possible through our Ashberry Wishing Tree initiative, a programme running across our homes that encourages residents to share a personal wish, memory or meaningful experience they would love to revisit. These wishes are displayed on our Wishing Trees and brought to life by our dedicated teams, creating moments of joy, purpose and connection that truly celebrate each individual.

And just when we thought the moment couldn’t get any better, Alan proved that he’s still got it, proudly heading the ball straight into the back of the net, much to the delight of everyone watching.

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Reflecting on the day, Wellbeing Lead Lauren Gatou, who organised Alan’s wish, said:

“It was an honour to help bring Alan’s memories of Chelsea back to life. Seeing the happiness on his face reminded us all why Ashberry Wishes are so important- it’s about celebrating who our residents are and the incredible lives they’ve lived.”

It was a truly special and emotional day, one that will stay with Alan, our team, and everyone involved for a very long time. Moments like this are at the heart of what we do- creating joy, connection and meaningful experiences for the people we care for.

If you are interested in finding out more about our care in Hereford, please enquire here.

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