CARE home residents and relatives laced up their football boots at they took part in a special VIP match at AFC Bournemouth’s new Performance Centre.

Care South’s annual walking tournament saw a team of residents and their loved ones from Castle Dene care home in Bournemouth and St Ives House in Ringwood take on the AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust.

And the residents walked away victorious, clinching a 3-2 win.

They were also joined by Care South staff alongside teams from AFC Bournemouth academy and the women’s over 50s and men’s over 50s sides.

Keen football fan, Roger, who lives at Castle Dene care home, played alongside his son, Darren.

Castle Dene resident, Roger, pictured after scoring a goal Picture: Care South

After the match, he said: “It felt good. I started playing football as a child and only stopped playing around four or five years ago.

“Once I was on the pitch, it felt like I was back to doing what I was used to and it was a good laugh. I’ve always supported AFC Bournemouth. They’ve got some good players.”

After the tournament, the residents, relatives and staff enjoyed a specially prepared VIP afternoon tea in the players’ lounge at the new performance centre.

Laura Reilly, home manager at Castle Dene, said: “It was such a lovely moment to see Roger back on the pitch alongside his son, Darren.

“They are both keen football fans and so it was lovely to see Roger laughing and enjoying a sense of community, as he was enabled to continue enjoying his passion with the support of the Care South team.

A full team photo at Care South’s walking football tournament Picture: Care South

“The residents also had a great time sitting down to chat and enjoy afternoon tea at the end of the event, which exemplifies Care South’s ethos of food, fun and friendship.”

Steve Cuss, head of AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust said: “It was fantastic to see the residents get back on the pitch and challenge my colleagues to a competitive game of walking football.

“It was impressive to see how many goals they scored and to see the smile on their faces as they did it. We are so proud of our partnership with Care South which helps the residents to stay fit and active in the care homes as well as on the pitch at their annual Walking Football tournament.”

Care South partners with Bournemouth AFC to give residents and staff access to a range of activities including weekly seated football sessions, coffee mornings, player meets and tours of Vitality Stadium.