A CARE home resident was treated to a VIP day at his beloved Bromsgrove Sporting after the club’s manager invited him to one of their home matches.

Donald Clarke, 88 – a resident of St John’s Care Home on St John Street for seven years – was invited to the club’s FA Vase game with Cadbury Athletic on Saturday, October 22.

Care assistant Collette Matheson and cook Michelle Du-Roe also joined the afternoon on Saturday, October 22, after Sporting boss Paul Smith sent invites for them to attend.

Although an illness ruled out fellow care home resident Chris Parry from attending, the trio from St John’s still enjoyed a fabulous day – made even better by Sporting’s 5-3 win.

Home manager Laura Wilkes said: "Chris has been a lifelong fan of Bromsgrove Sporting but unfortunately he could not go as he was unwell.

"Donald is also really into his sports and told us he played for Bromsgrove Rovers as a goalkeeper on one occasion in the fifties.

"He went along with Collette and Michelle from the team and had a fabulous day.

"Everybody made a fuss over him. He had a terrific time and it was made even better as Bromsgrove Sporting won!"

It is the third time the club have invited residents at the care home for a VIP day.

St John’s are now planning to bring the residents even closer to the club by setting up a wall dedicated to memorabilia of Bromsgrove Sporting and precursor club Bromsgrove Rovers.

Ms Wilkes added: "Our residents are really interested in local football so we are going to do a Bromsgrove Sporting wall which will have old programmes, shirts and scarfs on.

"We are going to try and look back at when it was Bromsgrove Rovers too and Paul Smith, the manager, will come along to open it.

"All of us at St John’s Court would like to say a huge thank you to Paul and his team at Bromsgrove Sporting for involving our ladies and gentlemen here and inviting them to matches.

"These visits make a huge difference to their days and we thank them all."