Chelsea resident shares precious football memories

A Chelsea football fan is part of a large outdoor photo exhibition beside the iconic Wembley Stadium, which has been curated by Alzheimer’s Society, in collaboration with Wembley Park.

On public view throughout Summer, the powerful installation titled ‘Football Should Be Unforgettable’, puts a spotlight on Alzheimer’s Society supporters, many who are living with dementia, who have all been photographed with items attached to their most memorable moments of the game.

Raymond James, who lives in Fulham, also joins the likes of Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, who reflected on their earliest memories of falling in love with the beautiful game, sharing childhood photographs to feature in the display.

The large-format photographs aim to raise vital funds and awareness around dementia and preserve the football memories of fans across the country impacted by the condition. This has never been more important, with one in three people born today in the UK going on to develop dementia.

Raymond’s photograph shows him wearing a Chelsea scarf and jacket. He said: “I support Chelsea FC, they are my team. My son used to work at the club as a security guard. Around 12 years ago he arranged for me to do a tour of Stamford Bridge.

“We went around the stadium, into the changing rooms and on the pitch. I saw the player’s shirts hanging up in the dressing room. We even got to meet some players and I shook their hands! They were very friendly, and I got their autographs. It was a very special day.”

Alex Hyde-Smith, Director of Income and Engagement at Alzheimer’s Society: “Football has created incredible moments on screens and in Stadiums for generations. From edge-of-your seat matches to the legends of the game, for fans across the country, it’s almost unthinkable that they would forget their most treasured football memories. But for the many fans who will go on to live with dementia, that is sadly the case.

“With 900,000 people living with dementia, enough to fill Wembley Stadium 10 times over, we are excited to be part of Wembley Park’s summer exhibition, as part of our partnership with The FA, to drive home how football should be unforgettable.

“We hope the powerful pictures beside the iconic stadium will inspire people to donate and support Alzheimer’s Society’s important work, so we can reach even more people through some of the hardest and most frightening times, and we can reach them sooner.”

The exhibition follows the recent announcement of improvements to Wembley Stadium, of which Alzheimer’s Society is a charity partner, and which has become the first national stadium to be dementia friendly. The Football Association (FA) has extended its partnership with Alzheimer’s Society to continue to support those who have been devastated by dementia. Over the past two seasons, the partnership has raised over £400,000, with thousands more fans, players and staff now knowing where to go to access vital dementia support.

The exhibition is part of Wembley Park’s Summer Art Trail and is free to visit until September. More information on the exhibition and Alzheimer’s Society’s partnership with the FA can be found at www.alzheimers.org.uk/fa