A special group of supporters from AGE UK enjoyed an unforgettable experience at Fulham’s recent home game with Everton – as eight elder women watched the match as guests of the Premier League club for the fourth successive year, thanks to an initiative introduced by lifelong fan Tamara Dragadze.
Tamara, a resident in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham for more than four decades and a season ticket holder in the Johnny Haynes Stand has been co-ordinating an annual visit in conjunction with the local charity and Fulham Football Club since 2021. “It occured to me that there were isolated, elderly women in the borough who might really a football match,” she said.
This year, eight ladies – who either live alone or serve others as full-time carers – came to Craven Cottage together on a minibus to enjoy an afternoon watching Marco Silva’s side take on Everton. The group were greeted by Fulham’s supporter relations manager, Nicola Walworth, Tamara, her grandson Oscar Klim-Petersen and taken to their seats where they received matchday programmes and complimentary snacks.
One attendee, Maria Constantinou, said she ‘felt like a fifteen year-old again,’ while Catherine Welch was particularly emotional, ‘I care for my husband and coming to this match is like going on holiday’ she said. The group’s driver, Noel Wetherley, added: ‘Apart from the result, it was the best experience the group has had’.
Tamara, who serves as a board member of the Fulham Supporters’ Trust, has already started thinking about next season’s event. “It feels like we will have to do it again, given the way the ladies enjoyed it,” she said.
