A resident at a local care home has had his passion for Coventry City re-ignited with a winning birthday trip to the CBS Arena.
Brian Austin, 88, who lives at HC-One’s Victoria Mews care home, told staff members how much he wished he could see Coventry City play again live at the CBS Arena. He has been a keen supporter of the Sky Blues all his life and used to attend matches regularly but was unable to for many years.
Staff at the care home contacted Coventry City and were able to secure him a ticket for the recent fixture against fellow promotion-chasing Leeds United, which coincided with the week of his birthday. He was presented with his matchday ticket in his birthday card and attended the game with Victoria Mews care home’s Deputy Manager, Vicki Melia. The day was made even better for the birthday boy after Coventry saw out a 2-1 victory.
Speaking the day after his trip out, Brian said:
“This was the best birthday present ever! I had a great day and the hospitality at the stadium was great.
I would like to thank Vicki for her kindness in taking her time out to take me to the match, I really appreciate it.”
Brian’s favourite Coventry City memory, like many fans, is of the Sky Blues lifting the FA cup trophy in 1987. Although he was unable to get to Wembley on the day he remembers watching the game at home on television and the celebrations around the city that followed. His favourite player ever is Ian Gibson, who played for Coventry in the 1960s, and his favourite current player is US forward, Haji Wright.
Having worked all his life as a factory planning engineer, Brian has always lived in Coventry and watched City games with his wife and grandchildren many times over the years. The first game he went to was in 1945, which was also the first game after the end of the Second World War and which he attended with his father. The next game he went to after this was at Manor Park where he watched the great Stanley Matthews play, the only time Matthews ever played in the area.
With another big FA cup match coming up, Brian said he will be watching the semi final game against Manchester United on television again, surrounded by his fellow residents at Victoria Mews care home. He is confident of another Coventry City win against the odds.
Vicki Melia, Deputy Manager at Victoria Mews care home, said:
“It was a great experience taking Brian back to see his beloved Coventry City, especially as it was his birthday. And even better to see a Sky Blues win!
Making our residents wishes come true is a central part of our people-focused approach to care, and we are delighted Brian enjoyed himself so much.”