Wishaw Press

100 year old follows star Gary Anderson and still loves Motherwell FC Darts fan Rita celebrates treble 20, double tops

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Lynn Love You can’t beat a bit of Bully, and for one Shotts centenaria­n success came at the double.

Darts fan Rita Russell celebrates her 100th birthday today (Wednesday).

Rita, of Torbothie, is not one to let age stand in the way of her hobbies and still enjoys watching her favourite player Gary Anderson in action.

Widower Rita went along to Motherwell Civic Centre in June to watch world champions Gary Anderson and Raymond van Barneveld go toe-to-toe.

She even got to chat with the Flying Scotsman and said it was a night she’ll never forget.

The retired postwoman and garage worker said: “I had a great night. It doesn’t matter how old I am, as long as I’m fit I’ll still get out and about.

“I’ve watched Gary Anderson on the TV for years so getting to meet him was excellent. I told him never to lose his Scottish tongue and he told me not to worry, he never would.”

Rita is hoping her 100th birthday celebratio­ns are just as fun as she gets ready to enjoy a night of festivitie­s with her loved ones at Shotts Bowling Club.

Rita added: “I’m having a three-course meal and a party with 130 of my close friends and family. I’m really looking forward to it.“

Rita lost her husband John many years ago. The couple wed in 1946 at the Newhouse Hotel and honeymoone­d in Blackpool. Rita and John enjoyed a lovely life together and shared many of the same interests and hobbies.

They were big Motherwell fans and regularly enjoyed watching the team play at Fir Park and they even ventured to their away matches.

Rita added: “We tried to go to every match, home and away. We were big fans. Since John passed I’ve not been to as many games but I still keep up-todate with how they’re going. Right now they’re rubbish.”

Rita’s mobility is deteriorat­ing and she struggles to get around on her own as much, relying on family members and friends to take her out.

She added: “I’m not as stable as I was. I walk with my zimmer frame now and seem to fall often if I try to go without it.

“Actually, right now I’m falling for everything but a man.”

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