84-Year-Old Luton Town Fan Attends First Football Match in Over a Decade

84-year-old Luton Town Football Club fan, Valerie Devlin, felt ‘so grateful’ when staff from her care home, Thorn Springs in Houghton Regis, whisked her away to watch a match at Kenilworth Road.

As season ticket holders, Valerie and her family would rarely miss a Luton Town match, travelling the country to watch their team in some of the most famous stadiums in the UK, including Wembley Stadium, where they witnessed Luton Town FC’s triumph in the Littlewoods Cup Final.

Valerie has been a devoted Luton Town FC supporter since the 1970’s but hasn’t been able to get to a match for over 10 years.

Fondly speaking of her memories watching football, Valerie said she loved to join in on the chanting during matches.

Her daughter, Alison, said Valerie was ‘very noisy’ and ‘loved to watch every win over Watford, Luton’s rival team’.

When the staff at Thorn Springs learnt of Valerie’s devotion to Luton Town FC, they were determined to grant her wish to see them play again. Valerie said,

‘I can’t thank everyone enough for making this happen, I’m so grateful for everything and I’m very glad I saw the winning goal! I’m looking forward to the next game!’

Katie Hughes, the Home Manager at Thorn Springs, said,

‘It was great to take Valarie to see another football game; she was very grateful, and we were thrilled to be there for such a special moment. It’s so important to us that our residents’ wishes are granted, because we want to offer them the best quality of life. We can’t wait to see whose wish we can grant next!’ 

To find out more about Thorn Springs, please call  01582 218560, email thorn.springs@idealcarehomes.co.uk or visit www.idealcarehomes.co.uk.

Opened in October 2022, Thorn Springs is a luxury residential and dementia care home operated by Ideal Carehomes. With 66 en-suite bedrooms and attractive décor, Thorn Springs is proud to offer person-centred care in a dignified manner, promoting independence as far as possible.