FOOTBALL fanatic Derek Reginald Slater scored one of his life’s goals by meeting former Wolverhampton Wanderers stars when they played a charity football match against Leamington.
The 87 year-old from Leamington, who is a life-long supporter of the Wolves fan, was guest of honour at a charity match between Leamington and a Wolves All Stars team on Saturday July 8.
Wolves remains a passion for Derek – who avidly reads the sports papers and watches the team on TV – but due to ill-health, has not been able to attend a game in a number of years.
So the charity match, which raised money for charity Cardiac Risk in the Young, was the perfect opportunity for him to see his beloved team in the flesh once again.
Sarah Pagan, who runs Good Companion, a company that helps elderly people live independently, has known Derek for three years and jumped at the chance to get him along to the game.
Derek got to meet players, lead the teams onto the pitch and watch the match from the dugout.
And he was smiling at the final whistles as his beloved team, led by former star striker Mel Eves, won 4-3.
After the match he had a photo with both teams and took home a signed match programme – of which he was a star feature.
Sarah said: “It was priceless. He was with the players throughout the match, giving them advice and shouting his support.
“To hear Derek’s chuckle and see the huge grin on his face made it so worthwhile.”
Derek’s love for Wolves originated from his dad, who was born in Bushbury in the Black Country, and over the past 80 years has attended hundreds of games.
But the passion for the old gold of the Molineux side has not been passed on down the generations – as both his son and grandson support Manchester United.
Visit Good Companion’s Facebook page to find out more about the services they offer – @goodcompanionwarks.
