Hendon Hall Celebrates Lifelong Football Fan With Hendon F.C. Matchday Visit
Residential care home Signature at Hendon Hall has strengthened its ties with the local community by taking a resident to watch his beloved team in action.
The care home itself occupies a unique place in sporting heritage. During the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the building served as a hotel and provided the base camp for the England squad before their historic victory and the lifting of the Jules Rimet Trophy. Nearly six decades later, now operating as a residential care facility, Hendon Hall continues to champion the town’s rich sporting legacy.
The home recently organised a visit to Silver Jubilee Park, and while a number of residents were sadly unable to attend on the day due to the cold weather and seasonal illness, the visit became a special celebration of one resident in particular – lifelong Hendon F.C. supporter, John Fordham.
John was absolutely determined not to miss the match and proudly represented the home on behalf of his fellow residents.
A long-time supporter of Hendon F.C., John has followed the club for decades, attending matches at the former Claremont Road ground in years gone by. His dedication has even seen him volunteer at the club, including helping on the turnstiles, and has even been recognised in a post on the club’s official website.
The match itself was a 4–4 draw, with a thrilling 4–3 score at half-time, adding to the excitement of the afternoon. Ahead of kick-off, John enjoyed coffee, tea, and a traditional shepherd’s pie before making his way to the stands to cheer on his team.
Reflecting on the day, John shared: “I’ve been following Hendon F.C. for many years. The club has always meant so much to me, and I wasn’t going to miss this for anything. The atmosphere was fantastic, and it was wonderful to be there supporting the team. They put on an incredible performance.”
The matchday trip builds on an ongoing relationship between Signature at Hendon Hall and Hendon F.C., following a visit from the Club Secretary, Jeremy, in October. During the visit, Jeremy entertained residents with a fascinating talk about the club’s history, community engagement, and life at Silver Jubilee Park.
Since then, football history and club stories have become a popular topic of conversation within the home, offering residents opportunities to reminisce and share what makes the club so special to them.
Soloman Shamash, Client Liaison Coordinator at Signature at Hendon Hall, said:
“Days like this are incredibly special. Hendon F.C. is such an important part of the local community and the personal histories of many people who live here, so being able to support the team together with a lifelong fan like John was fantastic.
“At Hendon Hall, we are passionate about helping residents stay connected to the people, places, and traditions that matter most to them, and this visit really captured that spirit for all of us.”
Looking ahead, the care home hopes to continue this football focus in the coming months. With a World Cup summer approaching, colleagues at Signature at Hendon Hall are planning a match against Hendon F.C. Supporters XI on Sunday 21 June, raising funds for BRACE dementia research and the Hendon F.C. Supporters Fund.
