A former footballer recently had his wish granted by the team at Hungerford Care Home, in Berkshire, when he was taken on a nostalgic trip to Stamford Bridge where he used to play for Chelsea Football Club.

In his younger days, Phillip McKnight was a famous footballer, known as ‘Corky’ McKnight. Born in Glasgow in 1924, he played for Aloa Athletic before World War Two and, on demobilisation from the Royal Navy in 1946, he moved south and joined Chelsea Football Club. He stayed at Stamford Bridge for eight seasons before being transferred to Leyton Orient where he was a regular for seven seasons and a member of the Division 3 championship side of 1956-57. In his later years, Phillip held coaching and managerial roles at Orient, Hayes and Ruislip Manor.

Phillip moved into Hungerford Care Home a few months ago at 93 years of age. Care group brighterkind, which runs the home, has a Wishing Well scheme that makes possible reasonable wishes for residents to do something they have long wanted to do, or to go somewhere special to them. The scheme operates in all of their 70 homes.

On learning of Phillip’s wish to go back to visit Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge, members of the care team contacted the club to make arrangements and, on 28th January, Phillip set off with two of the home’s nurses, Vali Joita and Gabi Cutoi, who are both keen football followers themselves.

Wearing his Chelsea hat and scarf, he arrived at Stamford Bridge where he was warmly greeted with a glass of champagne and taken to the Ex-Players Foundation Box where he enjoyed a lovely meal. The highlight of the day was, of course, watching Chelsea win 3-0 against Newcastle!

Phillip said: “I had a fantastic time, it was great seeing the grounds again and visiting London after such a long time. I was surprised how things had changed. It was exciting watching the game and being a part of it all again, and I was very happy to see Chelsea win. Thanks to Hungerford care home for a great experience.”
 
www.brighterkind.com