Daughter surprises mum by organising a chance to meet the players of Preston North End.
When Anne Myers travelled back to her home county to watch North End take on Lancashire foes Blackburn Rovers, little was she to know the surprise, daughter Jayne had in store for her.
Anne has been a Preston supporter for over 60 years and first graced Deepdale at the same time Finney, Cunningham, Docherty et al did on a weekly basis.
Anne would later move away from Preston to Hull as she got older, but her affinity of the Club would remain, and she still keeps close tabs on the Lilywhites through the Club’s official website, as well as keeping updated with the scores on a Saturday.
Eighteen months ago, Anne was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and is now on medication to slow the growth of her illness.
It’s not been easy for Anne and her family, so in an attempt to build on Anne’s excitement for the big game, Jayne organised with the Club a surprise visit to Springfields to meet Simon Grayson and the players, and Anne was taken back by the experience.
“It’s been great seeing at close sight the players and what they get up to,” said Anne after going behind the scenes at Springfields.
“I use to go to every home game back in the day. I remember on a matchday we use to sit by the corner flag on the grass and whenever there was a corner to be taken, we’d all have to move back so the player, which would often be Sir Tom could take it. How times have changed!
“It’s a friendly club and that’s what I love about supporting it. I don’t get to many games because of where I live and it’s difficult for me because of my illness.
“I have no problem reciting memories of when I was younger; it’s more short term things I sometimes struggle with.
“I use to go to school with a scarf that said ‘PP’ which obviously stood for 'Proud Preston' and I remember getting told by off by the Headteacher because it didn’t match the uniform!”
Daughter, Jayne who also spoke to the matchday programme was over the moon for her mum to meet the players,whom represent the same colours their predecessors did when Anne was watching every week.
She added: “She’s always keeping up to date with the football. She still manages to visit places she knows up in Scotland and in Durham so she’s still independent and that’s all important for her because all that keeps her busy.
“Like she said, her long-term memory is still fine and she has lots of stories about supporting North End back in the day.
“But her memory is gradually going to get worse so there will be a stage when I move back to Hull to look after her. It’s been wonderful for her to come and see the training ground and the players and it’s something we’ll both remember for a long time.”