Heartwarming images the moment an elderly Stockport County fan receiving end of life care was paid a visit by the club president at his bedside. Stephen Foster, 80, who lives at St Ann's Hospice in Heald Green, watched Sunday's glorious game from his bed.
He devastated he wasn't able to make it.
Stephen has supported the club since the late 1950s. The hospice shared a picture of Stephen eagerly watching the game before The Hatters lifted the National League title and promotion to the Football League after an 11-year absence.
After seeing the post, the club put into action a plan to surprise residents with a visit, including taking the trophy along for Stephen to see. Pictures show Stephen alongside club president Steve Bellis/
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Stephen, who has watched his beloved team at Wembley five times, said: "I’ve been supporting County since 1958. I’ve seen good matches, and I’ve seen bad matches. I’ve even been to Wembley five times.
“And then the day they got promoted I couldn’t be there, but I watched it here at St Ann’s Hospice, and, if I had been at the match, I wouldn’t be holding the trophy now."
Mr Bellis said: “This is what it’s all about. Trophies are for the fans, they don’t belong in cabinets. Someone like Stephen who has been supporting since 1958 – that’s a lot of matches that he has watched, and to put a smile on his face was fantastic.
“That’s what the club is all about, it’s about the community, everywhere we take it, if we bring a smile to someone’s day, then it’s all worthwhile.”
Chief executive of St Ann's Hospice, Rachel McMillan, said: “What a fantastic thing for Stockport County to do for Stephen and the rest of our patients. It was really exciting for patients, visitors and staff to have the opportunity to see the trophy and hold it too.
“When they think of hospices, people often think that they are sad places, and of course we have very sad days. But, we’re always really focussed on making sure we can help support our patients to achieve their goals too – whether that’s being able to walk to the bathroom or sit in our café for a drink, or hold aloft the cup from their beloved football team.
"Huge thanks to Steve Bellis and the team at Stockport County. You’ve made our day.”
