Matt Bradley, 26, had been due to go to Bournemouth's home game against Newcastle on Saturday with his 69 year old dad, who was unable to attend at the last minute. Continue
When Matt couldn't find a taker for the OAP ticket he went to the ground and saw 86-year-old Gordon Roberts queuing up at the box office in the vain hope of getting a returned ticket.
Matt offered to take the white bearded stranger to the game free of charge.
The pair sat next to one another and watched Newcastle beat Bournemouth 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium.
The pair had a good chat about football, posed for a selfie together and Matt bought Gordon a cup of tea at half-time.
Mat, a salesman from Poole, Dorset, said: "My dad got a stomach bug the night before the game and said at 10am he couldn't go.
"With the John Lewis Christmas advert about helping the elderly I thought I would offer it for free to any OAP because it is an OAP ticket.
"Lots of people said they would love to go but none were pensioners so I decided to just chance it and go to the ground.
"There were some people queuing up trying to get any tickets that had been returned and I spotted Gordon in the queue.
"He's a bit of a local legend and I've seen him at games before but I'd never really spoken to him.
"I just said 'are you looking for a ticket?' He said yes and I said 'right you're coming in with me'.
"He was shocked but delighted. We sang some chants, chatted about football and I bought him a cup of tea at half time.
"I don't think he's been to a game for a while. It was a lot easier to find tickets when Bournemouth were in the lower leagues. Gordon said it had been difficult for him to get tickets this season now they are in Premier League.
"His chances of getting one that day were very slim if I hadn't come along.
"It was nice to give something back and do something for someone in need.
"I think he knows everyone at the club. Every steward was 'alright Gordon? How's it going Gordon?'. He's very well known and a popular man at the club.
"I think he enjoyed a bit of company and having a laugh as anyone would do. He seemed pretty chuffed."
Known locally as Gordon the Tramp, Gordon is well-known in Bournemouth and is famous for always knowing the correct time even though he does not own a watch.
Residents unsuccessfully campaigned for him to be an Olympic torchbearer in 2012.
source: Mirror
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