Orpington care home residents enjoy matchday magic

Football fever has officially kicked off at a care home in Orpington as residents took part in some sporting fun. 

Team members and residents at Care UK’s Foxbridge House, on Sevenoaks Road, played in a five-a-side walking football tournament to join the nation in celebrating the huge summer of sport. 

Spread over three days, residents and team members competed until only two teams were left on the final day of the tournament. Taking home the honours was team Bluebell City, who won five to three. Residents enjoyed cold beverages and ice cream while soaking up the sun.

Bob Merrison said: “What a great day, we had a real laugh during the football match. I never thought that at 92 I would be playing in a final.”

To celebrate further, football enthusiasts Peter Williams, Bob Merrison, Kellie Arbour and Paddy Murphy all experienced a day out visiting Bromley Football Club.

They were shown around the Hayes Lane stadium, touring the pitch, gym, offices and changing rooms. The residents particularly enjoyed looking at the trophies and where the football shirts are kept.

87-year-old resident and lifelong Bromley FC fan, Paddy Murphy, said: “It was amazing to be able to go behind the scenes and see the changing rooms. We had a great day in a real community environment, and we are always made to feel so welcome. Come on you Ravens!” 

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

Stella Barnes, Home Manager at Foxbridge House, said: “We had a ball taking part in a competitive football tournament and visiting the Bromley FC stadium!

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

“The initiative was a wonderful opportunity to bring everyone together for some 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 Bromley for inviting us and making this a day to remember, and to our team for keeping spirits high during the three-day tournament. 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.

Foxbridge House has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to lead active and fulfilling lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care, and has its very own cinema, hair and beauty salon and pub.