Lifelong Blues fan returns to stadium after four years

A lifelong Blues fan has made an emotional return to Birmingham City's stadium, after being unable to visit for four years due to health problems.

Mark Hands, a resident at Heathview Rose Care Home in Shirley, Solihull, used to regularly attend matches with his friends until he developed permanent reduced mobility.

However, the care home arranged a special stadium tour for Hands, knowing how much the club still meant to the 65-year-old.

"Birmingham City has always been a big part of my life, so being back at the stadium meant a lot to me", Hands said.

"It brought back so many memories of going to matches over the years and enjoying the football with friends."

During the visit, he sat in the stands and stepped inside the players' dressing room.

The tour also took him through the media suite used for post-match interviews, allowing him to see areas of the stadium he would not ordinarily have experienced as a supporter.

The trip was organised by Macc Care, who run Heathview Rose Care Home.

Director Bhav Amlani said: "Visits like this are about so much more than simply having a day out. Returning to a place that has played such an important part in someone's life can prompt memories and encourage reminiscence.

"It can also allow residents to reconnect with experiences that have brought them so much happiness over the years.

"For Mark, Birmingham City has been part of his life for decades, so it was wonderful to see how much being back at the stadium meant to him."

Reflecting on the experience, Hands said: "I'm really grateful to everyone who made the visit possible.

"It was the best day of my life in a very long time and it has truly excited me for the new season."

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