A patient at St Andrew’s Hospice in Grimsby ticked a huge item off his ‘bucket list’ when a former Coventry City defender paid him a visit at the hospice, complete with his FA Cup Final Winners’ Medal.
Glenn Beedie is a patient at the hospice and had always dreamed of holding an FA Cup Winners’ Medal and he was able to realise that dream thanks to staff at the hospice and a former Sky Blues star.
Graham Rodger played for City in the old First Division and won the FA Cup with the Sky Blues in 1987, coming an as substitute in the 3-2 win over Tottenham at Wembley.
Graham, who is now the Grimsby Town Community Officer and Chief Scout, after playing for the club between 1992 and 1998, before going onto manage the Mariners in 2006.
Graham was only too pleased to visit the hospice to meet Glenn and wife Lillian.
He said: “I was only 20 when I won the cup, at the time I was one of the youngest players to ever win and it was the highlight of my career.
“It’s surprising, but not many people ask about my cup final appearance, I think because it came so early in my career.
“But I was delighted to come to the hospice and share my memories with Glenn – it is important as players and ex-players that we give something back to the fans that have supported us.”
For Glenn and his wife, football has played a massive part in their lives, right up until the present day.
Lillian explained: “I was a big fan of Bobby Moore (England’s World Cup winning captain) when I was younger and I was lucky enough to meet him and get his autograph when he played for Fulham in the 1970s.
“We got engaged at Hull City when Fulham were playing there and then we went down to Fulham when we got married.
“We were lucky enough to get a tour of the ground (Craven Cottage) from the chairman – it was a great experience.
Holding an FA Cup Winners’ Medal and spending time reminiscing brought a smile to Glenn’s face.
Glenn, who uses an iPad to communicate, said: “My illness may end up taking my life but it will never take away my memories.
“Holding an FA Cup Winners’ Medal was one of my life’s dreams and now that is complete – thank you to Graham and the hospice for making this possible.”