Alzheimer’s Society’s photo exhibition at Wembley: Football should be unforgettable

Jack plays for Premier League club Manchester City. His unforgettable football memory is when he first fell in love with the game as a child.

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I remember going to Devon to play in a tournament for my Sunday League team, I must’ve been about six or seven.

That was when I first started falling in love with football.

Stan lives with dementia, and is cared for by his wife Candy. His unforgettable football memory is showcased by a signed photograph of him with Mike Summerbee.

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'As a lifelong Manchester City supporter, training to become a qualified FA coach alongside one of his favourite players Mike Summerbee was a dream come true for Stan.'

'From watching him from the stands to working alongside him, he has always looked back on that time fondly and the start of his own career as a football manager - with most of his success coming from his time at Wilmslow Albion in the 1980s.'

'The signed photo of him and Mike together has been a prized possession for more than 40 years.'

Dementia may have stolen many of Stan’s memories, but this will always be a reminder of the love and passion he had for football and for Manchester City.

Read more of Candy and Stan's story

Tommy lives with dementia. His unforgettable football memory is showcased by a shirt player Andre Gomes wore with Tommy's name on during a match.

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'A couple of years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2011, I was invited to join a new group at my team Everton called ‘Pass On The Memories’.'

Being able to talk with other fans living with dementia has been great for me.

'During lockdown, I found it hard when there was no football to watch and when it started again no one could go, just watch it on TV.'

'Through the group, some of us were chosen to have messages from the players on their jackets during a warm up on 19th December 2020.'

'Seeing Andre Gomes on TV wearing my name and wishing me a Merry Christmas was a very special moment during a difficult time, and being given the jacket to keep afterwards means I’ll always have that reminder.'

Learn more about how football helps Tommy

Raymond lives with dementia. His unforgettable football memory is showcased by his Chelsea coat and a scarf.

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'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.

Read Raymond and his wife Cynthia's story

Bob lives with dementia. His unforgettable football memory is showcased by a ball signed by Liverpool F.C. in the 1970s.

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'Going to watch Liverpool at Anfield, the atmosphere is electric, especially when everyone starts to sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.'

It gets the hairs up on the back of your neck.

'I won this ball, commemorating Liverpool’s two UEFA Cup wins in the 1970s, in a raffle. Looking at the signatures – the likes of Kevin Kegan, Steve Heighway and Ray Clemence – takes me back to those unforgettable glorious days.'

'It was such a great time for the club, and the red side of the city! It takes pride of place amongst all my memorabilia, from programmes to posters, from the last seven decades since going to my first match.'

Read how dementia hasn't stopped Bob enjoying football

Harry plays for Premier League club Manchester United. His unforgettable football memory is playing with his family in the garden.

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My earliest football memory was playing with my brother in the back garden.

My dad used to join in, and my mum used to tell me off for digging up the garden and kicking the ball over the fence.

David cares for his wife who lives with dementia. His unforgettable football memory is showcased by a programme from the FA Cup Final in 1983.

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'I have followed Brighton and Hove Albion since I was first taken to a match by my father in 1958. I have supported them through many different seasons but to eventually get to the FA Cup Final in 1983, and face Manchester United, was the pinnacle of our ambitions in those days.'

I travelled to the match with friends who are still season ticket holders like myself and have supported the club through the good and bad times.

'It was a great day out with a good atmosphere and it still brings back many memories, although we were relegated that season!'

'We have been to two further cup semi-finals but yet to repeat that final experience.'

'This programme is the prized possession and sits on top of the pile of other memorable BHA matches.'

Read how football offers David respite as a carer

Peter lives with dementia. His unforgettable football memory is showcased by a flag issued by The FA when Peter was a referee.

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'When I was playing for a Sunday morning team in the 1970s, I was asked if I wanted to take an FA refereeing course and exam.'

'I worked my way up through the leagues, eventually becoming an official in the Northern Premier League. My biggest game was the FA Cup with Carlisle United against Liverpool in the late 1980s.'

'It was really special. I had to stop over in a hotel, which was strange in your home town! I went into the directors room at 11am in the morning and Denis Law was there. I also ran the line in the England schools final in 1991 and I got to wear three lions on my shirt.'

It was an honour and a proud moment for me.

'This flag is the one I used when I was a club linesman in the Westmorland League and Northern Alliance League, issued by The FA for when you officiated their games.'

Read how Peter is helping to make football dementia friendly

Jenny works for Alzheimer's Society, helping to tell the stories of people affected by dementia. Her unforgettable football memory is showcased by her Barnsley F.C. bear.

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'When the wind blows in the right direction, you can hear the cheers of Barnsley fans at Oakwell on match days from the house I grew up in. During the 96/97 season, they were getting louder as Barnsley eyed up promotion to the Premier League.'

'The songs from the stands could also be heard in the playground at my school, with kids singing ‘It’s just like watching Brazil’ and ‘Walking in a Wilson Wonderland’. When Barnsley achieved the once unthinkable automatic promotion, the joy culminated with an open-top bus celebration.'

I remember walking down to the Town Hall with my dad to watch, and it felt like the whole town had turned out. There was a feeling of elation and hope in the air.

'Sadly for Barnsley, their stint in the top flight was short lived. But this bear, with its Toby Tyke badge, reminds me of that exciting time.'

Carrie's parents' both live with dementia. Her unforgettable football memory is showcased by an award she received for her work during the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

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I’ll never forget the moment Raheem Sterling and Kieran Trippier jumped on a FaceTime call with my mum and dad in their care home, while I was covering the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

It was recognised with this award - but the global reaction was particularly touching.

Read more about Carrie, and her parents who both have dementia

Peter lives with dementia. His unforgettable football memory is showcased by a ticket from the 2020 Carabao Cup Final he has framed.

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'The colours of the shirt, the scarfs - that’s the first thing people see when you wear them.'

'I love that feeling, walking round Aston or sitting in the Holte End wearing claret and blue and feeling like I’m a part of a community. I remember wearing my claret and blue when we went to watch Villa v Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final in 2020.'

'I’ve got the ticket framed in the living room along with photos with my grandson from the day.'

'The ticket and the shirt remind me of when my daughter, Laura, was a mascot at the Villa and got to walk out onto the pitch with the players.'

The colours claret and blue mean much more to me than just colours of a football shirt. To me, they hold unforgettable memories, memories with family that won’t fade, and I’ll always cherish.

Read more about Peter, from his daughter Laura

Eve's grandad had dementia. Her unforgettable football memory is showcased by a football signed by England's Lionesses when she met with them at St George’s Park.

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After running 100km to raise money for Alzheimer's Society, I was invited to meet the Lionesses Katie Zelem, Niamh Charles and Katie Robinson at St. George's Park. We made a video sharing our experiences of dementia and raising awareness of Alzheimer's Society through football.

Such an amazing experience. Memories that will last forever!!

Watch Eve interview the England Lionesses' on YouTube

Lara's dad, Geoff, had dementia. Her unforgettable football memory is showcased by her dad's little red notebook from when he was Chief Scout for Manchester United.

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'As a family, we got all got caught up in football, largely thanks to my dad, Geoff.'

'Dad was a boyhood fan of Manchester United, and became their Chief Scout. He carried a little red notebook with all his ideas and phone numbers in; it never left his side. I’ve still got his United scouting ID card from the 2014/2015 season.'

They’re small but powerful reminders of dad and the incredible life he was destined to lead.

'Developing young, talented footballers and working alongside the most iconic footballers to ever play or manage the game, including Sir Alex Ferguson and the Class of ’92.'

'Great sport, great football, is about teamwork. Bringing football fans together whether at home, in the local field or at the stadium, is brilliant, and it’s what the beautiful game is all about.'

Shelagh lives with dementia. Her unforgettable football memory is showcased by a signed shirt gifted to her from Denis Law.

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'Denis Law was one of my favourite Manchester United players, and I loved watching him at Old Trafford.'

After his own dementia diagnosis, through Alzheimer’s Society I was given the chance to meet him. It was a dream come true and he was the loveliest man.

'You don’t expect to meet your heroes, and I couldn’t believe it was happening to me. I was totally starstruck, but he couldn’t believe I had been living with dementia myself for 10 years.'

'Being able to talk to someone like me meant a lot to him. After meeting me, he sent someone to get this shirt from his hotel room and he signed it for me – he was so grateful that he wanted to do something for me.'

Charlie's Gramps, Barry, lives with dementia. Charlie documents the matches they go to together on social media. His unforgettable football is when he and Gramps met Manchester City footballer, Phil Foden.

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'Me and my Gramps Barry, a die-hard Manchester City Fan, being invited to meet his favourite player Phil Foden.'

The smile on his face is priceless.

Read more about Charlie and his Gramps, Barry

Luke plays for Premier League club Manchester United. His unforgettable football memory is playing football with his dad as a child.

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'My dad was always taking me to the park or in the garden as a child and was always making me do keepie-ups.'

Without him doing that, I don’t think I’d be where I am now.