Oldham army veteran prepares return to football for charity

Geoff Hargreaves, 76, from Moorside in Oldham, played as a holding midfielder for the England Veterans Over 70s Football Team for five years before osteoarthritis forced him to stop.

The army veteran, who served in Northern Ireland, faced a long wait for a hip operation until Help for Heroes intervened and contacted his consultant.

Mr Hargreaves said: "I’ve been living with the impact of some of the things I saw in Northern Ireland for most of my adult life.

"I’ve always played football and not being able to play anymore was really getting me down.

"It was such an honour to play for the England Veterans' team."

In February, Mr Hargreaves met a member of the Help for Heroes clinical team at a local veterans’ café.

He explained his situation to the team, who then spoke to his surgeon’s secretary, leading to the operation being completed.

Mr Hargreaves said: "I’ve now had my operation.

"I’ll be transferring to the England Walking Football team when I’ve finished my rehab – and I can’t wait."

He regularly attends the Help for Heroes café sessions held monthly in Mossley.

He describes them as valuable opportunities for veterans and their families to meet, share experiences, and learn about available support.

Danielle Vyse, a member of the Help for Heroes clinical team in the North West, praised Mr Hargreaves' dedication.

She said: "He does so much for the local community as a volunteer – helping out at the Veterans Food Company charity, with different City in the Community initiatives, and a local lunch club for over 60s who live on their own.

"As a veteran myself, it's great to see him being able to get back to something he loves."

Mr Hargreaves encouraged other veterans to seek support if they need it.

He said: "For any veterans out there who are struggling with physical, mental or welfare issues, or maybe they’re feeling a bit isolated, I’d say come along to a local Help for Heroes session – it could make a real difference."

Help for Heroes supports veterans and their families with their physical and mental health, as well as welfare and social needs.

The Charity supports veterans and their families from any branch of the UK military, regulars and reserves, irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces.  

More information about Help for Heroes’ café sessions in Greater Manchester can be found at www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-help/sports-social-activities/community-taster-sessions.