Harry Hoare says his "wildest dreams" have come true after leading players onto the Hastings pitch.
A 93-year-old football fan's "wildest dreams" have come true after he proudly walked his team out onto the pitch as their mascot.
Lifelong Hastings United fan Harry Hoare, 93, made his debut at Pilot Field football stadium at the weekend after supporting the club for decades.
Mr Hoare is a resident at Hastings Court care home on The Ridge, where staff try to make sure he still goes to watch home matches.
He said: "I've been a fan my entire life, attending games since the 1940s - so much so, I became friends with the owner and I have a 'ticket for life'."
Mr Hoare was accompanied by friends from the home and family members for the special experience ahead of the club's 3:2 win against Sheppey United.
"I thought when I moved into Hastings Court, I might be able to attend some games with the support of my family – never in my wildest dreams did I think the team here would support me to continue doing what I loved on a regular basis," he said.
He attends games with fellow resident Colin Lawson, accompanied by staff from the home.
A former businessman, Mr Hoare owned Sandra's gift shop in Hastings old town, then went on to run the fishmongers in Alexandra Arcade.
He moved into Hastings Court, an 80-bedroom care home offering residential, nursing, memory and respite care, with his wife of more than 70 years, Phyllis.
The residents walked out with the team onto the edges of the pitch, as the ground was too soft to take their walking frames.
Mr Hoare was helped to negotiate the step from the tunnel by Hastings player Dylan Pauw, and the club thanked the residents from Hastings Court over the tannoy for leading the walk-out.
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