The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Hilda, give us a wave’ – centenarian’s star turn at Arbroath
Amid cheers from crowd, woman marks her 100th birthday with a turn on the Lichties’ pitch
An Angus lady celebrated her 100th birthday with a turn on the hallowed turf of a local football team.
Arbroath FC welcomed guests Edinburgh City on Saturday and unfortunately suffered their second defeat of the season.
However, the crowd’s spirits were lifted at the start of the league game when it was announced Hilda Forrester was coming on to the pitch as the club’s guest of honour.
Protected against Gayfield Park’s typical North Sea nippiness by a personalised “100” kit, the centenarian, ‘established’ only 38 years after the club, greeted the crowd amid chants of “Hilda, give us a wave”.
Chairman John Christison said: “Today we had a very special mascot who led out Arbroath and Edinburgh City before kick-off.
“Hilda Forrester turned an incredible 100 years old on Wednesday and celebrated with a party in the board room.
“Hilda braved the cold weather and took great pleasure in being accompanied out on to the pitch with her son Tim and Arbroath captain Mark Whatley.
“With a special 100 Arbroath strip wrapped around her shoulders she was given a huge round of applause by both sets of supporters, before the crowd burst into song with ‘Hilda, Hilda, give us a wave’, to which, like a true star, she looked up and gently waved to her new fans.
“We hope Hilda and all of her family had a very special afternoon, despite the result.
“Happy birthday Hilda, from everyone at Arbroath FC.”
Hilda’s son Tim thanked the club for “a wonderful day” for his family.
Fans may have felt a bit less elated at the game’s end as the Lichties suffered their first home defeat of the 2016/17 season due to a late Ousman See strike.
But the club are now looking forward to a “huge” cup game against Clyde on Tuesday and then away to league leaders Forfar on Saturday.