A Bluebirds prize treat for lifelong fan Denis

HE HAS been a Bluebirds fan for 60 years, and now he can boast that he’s got to spend an afternoon with two of his favourite players.

Denis Hazlewood, 83, enjoyed an afternoon tea with goalkeepers Brian Murphy and Neil Etheridge at Shire Hall Care Home, Dumballs Road, on Thursday.

The retired railway worker, who has decorated his zimmer frame with Cardiff City memorabilia, has held a season ticket with the club for over five decades.

Mr Hazlewood, a resident at Shire Hall nursing and dementia home, owns Cardiff City bedding, football shirts and signed pictures, and at 83 he still enjoys attending occasional home games at Cardiff City Stadium.

So when he was asked to write down a wish as part of Hallmark Care Homes’ Lucky Star Christmas wish competition, Mr Hazlewood revealed his desire to meet some of the players.

And on Thursday, he was paid a visit by Irishman Murphy and former Fulham and Charlton Athletic keeper Etheridge.

The trio sat down to discuss all things Cardiff City and Brian was even presented with tickets for the Bluebirds’ home game against Millwall which ended 0-0 on Saturday.

“I loved everything about it, from getting ready and putting on my favourite Cardiff City shirt, to meeting the players talking about the club and having afternoon tea with them,” Mr Hazlewood said.

“I was also given a book signed by the players, which I haven’t stopped looking at, and tickets to go to the game against Millwall.”

Mr Hazlewood’s daughter Yvonne Porton, 57, said: “My dad was absolutely over the moon with it. Brian told him he was going to give him one of his match shirts with a message from him and Neil, which was lovely. ““It’s lovely to see my dad so happy.” The granted wish is just one of many which the care provider has made come true this year for each of its 15 homes in England and Wales.

They are granting two wishes at each of its homes.

Other wishes include reuniting a resident with her late husband’s World War II diary and taking a 101-year-old to meet Les Misérables tenor Alfie Boe.

Karen Grapes, general manager of Shire Hall Care Home, said: “Denis has been a lifelong fan of Cardiff City Football Club, who have been very supportive towards Shire Hall, and we would like to thank them for helping us make Denis’ wish come true.”