Maidstone care home residents team up with ex-professional footballer for matchday magic

Football fever has officially kicked off at a care home in Maidstone as residents welcomed the local community – including a special visitor – for an afternoon of sporting fun. 

Care UK’s  Invicta Court, on Gidds Pond Way in Weavering, teamed up with former professional footballer Bill Williams for a party and penalty shootout to join the nation in celebrating the huge summer of sport. 

Bill, who played for clubs including Queens Park Rangers, Mansfield Town and Gillingham, is now the chairman of Maidstone United. He gave a talk about his life and career and then sang some songs to get everyone into the sporting spirit.

The team at Invicta Court created a penalty-taking machine – a tower with a slide attached and a handle on the side – so that everyone had a chance to score against the inflatable goalkeeper. Each resident took 10 shots and the winner on the day, 85-year-old resident Valerie Barnfield, received a trophy after scoring nine shots, and was tearful after winning the trophy.

A prize for a hotly contested keepy-uppy competition was also up for grabs and was awarded to team member Paul Beck.

92-year-old resident Herbert Newton, who supports Tottenham Hotspurs, said: “I thought it was a brilliant day! I think we should get an Invicta Court team together to play another match.”

The event was part of Care UK’s ‘Goal-den Moments' initiative, which aims to bring generations together and encourage residents to reminisce about cherished football memories with the local community while sharing new experiences.

Sara Barbosa, Home Manager at Invicta Court, said: “We had a ball opening our doors to the people of Maidstone to take part in a penalty shootout and party.

“For many residents, football is more than just the beautiful game – it represents a lifetime of treasured memories and traditions. This event allowed us to honour these special moments and bring them to life once again.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to bring everyone together for a day of matchday magic. It was truly heartwarming to watch residents reminisce and share their favourite football stories from years gone by.

“We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Bill for joining us and making this a day to remember. With spirits high, everyone involved proved they still have plenty of goal-den skills to show off!”

For more information about Goal-den Moments, please visit careuk.com/goal-den-moments.

Invicta Court offers full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care, in luxurious surroundings. The home has its very own hair and beauty salon, bar and cinema room, and the highly trained team delivers an excellent standard of personalised care.