Ex-footballer gets hospice visit from club legend

Janet Wheatley was presented with a shirt signed by the current Leicester team

A terminally-ill footballer who once played for Leicester Ladies had said it was "very emotional" to be visited by a club legend.

Janet Wheatley, from Loughborough, has cancer and is being cared for by LOROS hospice.

The 65-year-old played for Leicester Women from 1974 until 1979 and is still a season ticket holder.

Last week Alan Birchenall, who played for Leicester City from 1971 until 1977, and is a LOROS patron, presented her with a shirt signed by the team.

Club offers

Ms Wheatley said: “I played football from 1974 until 1979 for Leicester Women, as a winger.

"I was also scouted for England. I used to get called Kevin Keegan because of my speed and my hair!

"I received three [club offers], one from Syston Football team, Leicester Ladies and Forest.

"My grandkids also play football. I’m so proud of them. ”

Christmas wish

She said it was "fantastic" to meet 'The Birch' and discuss football past and present.

"He is very down to earth and we had a laugh," she said. "I used to always watch him play.

"He is such a lovely man. We were talking about football for ages and the new manager.

"I hope the new manager will turn a corner for Leicester. It was a real shock when he gave me the signed t-shirt. It was very emotional when I saw all the signatures from the players.

"I hope I can visit the ground and see a match before Christmas.”

Laura Betts, head of fundraising at LOROS hospice said: “One of the nurses on our ward mentioned that Janet was a huge foxes fan as well as an ex-footballer herself, so we got in touch with Birch who is so supportive of our care for patients.

"He visited the next day. The signed shirt was the icing on the cake and typical of the kindness of Birch and Leicester City Football Club.”