Bolton Wanderers boss sends fan Wally, 100, birthday card
WALLY TOOMES received a letter wishing him a happy 100th birthday from the manager of Bolton Wanderers FC, his favourite football team.
Although he asked for no gifts this year, Wally was surprised by his close friend Rachel Whatley with a letter from Bolton Wanderers manager Phil Parkinson and a card and pennant signed by the whole team.
‘Your support of Bolton Wanderers throughout the many years is truly appreciated by us,’ Mr Parkinson wrote.
‘We hear that you are still kept up to date with all things Wanderers and we hope that our fortunes will change in the not too distant future and we will be back to our winning ways.’
Wally remembers watching the 1958 FA Cup final against Manchester United where his team won 2-0 and can still recall all the players and their positions. It is one of his most special memories.
After moving to Guernsey in 1961, Wally continued his interest in sports and played in the Boys’ Grammar School staff cricket team. He was a woodwork and handicraft teacher for 17 years.
‘I taught hundreds of boys and didn’t have a single fail at GCE level,’ he said.
‘I have had a very good life, I travelled all over the world except South America.
‘Now I have wonderful carers [at the Chateau du Village Nursing Home] and I still like to sing along to Gilbert and Sullivan and laugh,’ he said.
Although he would not give up the secret to a long life, Wally said it was important to dance, laugh and have a glass of beer.
‘I met my wife, Ellie, outside the dance hall in Lancashire. She didn’t have enough money to get in, so I paid for her that night and we danced together ever since.
‘I wouldn’t say we were good at it but we had fun,’ he said.
After 73 years of marriage, Mrs Toomes sadly died two years ago.
‘She [Ellie] used to say there was nothing in my head apart from silly jokes and song lyrics,’ he remembered.
Grateful for his friends and carers, Wally looked forward to celebrating 100 years of life and an invite to have afternoon tea at the governor’s house with other islanders celebrating their 100th birthday this year.
The nursing home where Wally stays is also throwing him a party today to celebrate.
