Bury St Edmunds care home resident and Chelsea FC fan scores big as wish comes true

A Bury St Edmunds care home resident and lifelong Chelsea FC fan scored big after her wish came true to watch her team play.

Carol Stiles, 78, a resident at Care UK’s Mildenhall Lodge, in St Johns Close, received the full VIP treatment when her wish to return to Stamford Bridge, where she used to cheer on the Blues alongside her husband, came true.

Carol started supporting Chelsea aged 17 and after marrying her husband Derek, a fellow Blues fan, in 1963, the pair regularly watched matches at Stamford Bridge until they moved to Bury in 1966.

Carol made her wish to watch one more Chelsea match in person on the Mildenhall Lodge Wishing Tree, a special Care UK initiative which enables residents to revisit old hobbies and passions or try something new.

The team at Mildenhall Lodge sent a letter to Stamford Bridge expressing Carol’s love for the club and in response, the club wrote back to Carol, with the letter now framed in her room.

Unbeknownst to her, the team had also organised for Carol to attend a match, and she was whisked away to the stadium to watch her beloved team take on Ipswich Town in the Premier League on April 13.

Carol enjoyed watching the game, which ended 2-2, and shared her memories of match days from the past, including key players through the decades, the club's history, and her trips to the ground with Derek.

Carol, whose favourite player is Cole Palmer, said: “It was amazing to go back to Chelsea, to reminisce as we drove through Chelsea and walked along the streets, it all brought back so many memories.

“I got emotional when they played ‘blue is the colour’ out of the huge speakers. This song was chosen for my husband’s funeral as a surprise from our kids.

“Walking out in front of the field, brought back so many good memories of me and Derek when we used to watch the games, it was so amazing.

“The best part for me was wearing my Cole Palmer scarf, sitting right at the front, watching Chelsea score two goals and celebrating with other fans.”

Hannah Nurse, home manager at Mildenhall Lodge, said: “Carol is a huge Chelsea FC fan, so we made it our mission to give her the opportunity to watch the team play again.

“Our Wishing Tree initiative is a wonderful way for residents to share their passions and ambitions and it’s hugely rewarding to be able to make these dreams a reality. Carol had a fantastic time and hasn’t stopped talking about the game since.

“I want to say a massive thank you to Chelsea FC and the team here at Mildenhall Lodge, who helped make Carol’s wish come true.”