Sutton care home residents conjure up matchday magic with football shirt party

Football fever has officially kicked off at a care home in Sutton as residents enjoyed an afternoon of sporting fun. 

Residents and team members at Care UK’s Tennyson Grange, on Westmead Road, took part in a variety of football-themed activities as they joined the nation in celebrating the huge summer of sport. 

Leading up to the day, residents painted football shirts to flaunt at the party. The kit clearly inspired Ali Salem as he scored the most goals as the residents ran out 6-4 winners over the team members in a hotly contested penalty shootout.

Players were fuelled throughout, with an ice cream van delivering sweet treats, and delicious hot dogs and burgers specially prepared by the home’s talented head chef.

80-year-old resident Rita Caine, said: “I used to watch the Tottenham Hotspurs with my husband and I remember he took me to a live match at White Hart Lane, it was the first time I had been and I remember standing on the steps with everyone around us chanting the football songs. It was noisy but amazing.”

David Stockham, 92, added: “In the old days, I loved football. I would play a lot with my brothers, they were all older than me, but we were really competitive! I remember those were smashing times.”

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 while creating new ones together.

Harriet Mensah-Mandley, Home Manager at Tennyson Grange, said: “We had a ball painting shirts and taking part in a penalty shootout!

“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.

“I’d like to extend a huge thank you to the team for 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.

Designed to enable residents to lead active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence, Tennyson Grange incorporates plenty of space for hobby and leisure activities. The layout of the home has been configured to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents, featuring its very own cinema, hair and beauty salon and café.