Hand in Glove – Marie saves the day for young goalie, Marley

A Dundee care home resident put her trusty seamstress skills to work this week when an aspiring young football star’s goalie gloves presented a wardrobe malfunction.

Marie Watson, a resident of BCG St Ronan’s care home in Dundee, worked as a highly-respected dressmaker her whole working life and is keen to keep her hand in wherever she can. She was very well-known – and loved – in Dundee, especially with bridal parties, being, very often, the first thought for alterations for wedding dresses, bridesmaids and Mother of the Bride’s gowns. She made many, many costumes for children and adults over her career. When an opportunity to lend a helping hand – or is it glove – presented itself for Marie’s Home Manager, she was keen to make the difference. Cheryl’s son, Marley (8), goalie for Lochee United 2017’s, couldn’t get his new special, goalie gloves to secure properly.

Cheryl tells us: “Marley is a big lad with thick wrists, so the straps were only just fastening but kept on popping. Marie came to the rescue! She kindly offered to sew more velcro to the wrists of his gloves so he can get the use of them. She was in her element, to say the least, and made Marley one happy boy. It was a lovely, kind action from such a wonderful lady.”

Having recently returned to manage St Ronan’s after several years at BCG Clement Park, also in Dundee, and previously BCG Antiquary in Arbroath, there’s a sense of coming home for both Cheryl and her son.

“Marley is in the home a lot,” she continues. “He especially loves to come in, go upstairs and speak to the gents about football. He has been visiting St Ronan’s since he was just three weeks old! At that time there was a lovely married couple who lived here who would walk Marley up and down, pushing him in his pram. These long-term bonds of friendship mean the world to all of us.

“What’s more, Marie comes from a family of brothers and is keen on the football. She can’t wait to get along to one of Marley’s games on a Friday night soon.”

Game on!

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