Care home resident Bert was 'absolutely beaming' after visit by Portsmouth goalie

A care home resident was “absolutely beaming and smiled the whole time” when he got a visit from former Portsmouth goalie Alan Knight.

Alan came in to chat to residents at Hamble Heights care home in Fareham about his record for the most appearances for a single club by a goalkeeper, having played 683 league games for Pompey between 1978 and 2000. He also had a light kick about with some of the residents and signed a football for the residents to keep as a memento of the special day.

Bert Gee, aged 88, asked to meet a Portsmouth footballer as part of the care home’s plan to grant wishes for each of the residents. Vanessa Duggan, wellbeing manager, got in contact with Alan Knight MBE, a former goalkeeper for Portsmouth FC and invited him to the home.

Known by Portsmouth fans as The Legend, Alan Knight spent almost all of his 25-year playing career at Portsmouth.

Vanessa Duggan said: “It was amazing. Alan is the most amazing person, and our resident, Bert, who made the wish to meet Alan was absolutely beaming and smiled the whole time.

“The residents asked Alan lots of questions, as we have a few Pompey fans here, and he was happy to answer every question. He also said when it’s a bit warmer next year, we can take some of the residents to have a look around the grounds of Portsmouth Football Club.

“Other wishes that we have had recently include one resident wanting to go on a boat trip, so a few of our residents went out on the River Hamble, and another resident simply wanted to have some flowers in her room. It’s lovely to be able to brighten our residents’ lives and enable them to do the things that they enjoy.”

The Hamble Heights care home is part of the Encore Care Homes group, which also includes Great Oaks in Bournemouth, Oakdale in Poole, and Fairmile Grange in Christchurch.

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