Newbury ex-station master gets VIP football trip for 100th birthday

Alf Wells went to Stamford Bridge to watch Chelsea play Burnley

A former station master was treated to a first-class train journey and a ticket to see his favourite football team to celebrate his 100th birthday.

Chelsea fan Alf Wells was station manager in Newbury, Berkshire, where he has lived his whole life.

Mr Wells' neighbour, Wendy Sneddon, worked with Great Western Railway and Chelsea FC to organise the day.

She said she was always amazed by how many people knew Mr Wells from his days working on the railway.

En route to London on Saturday, the centenarian was given a tour of the driver's cab of the Class 800 Intercity Express, before heading to Stamford Bridge to watch Chelsea play Burnley.

Mr Wells started working for the railways in 1940, first as a porter, then a shunter, before becoming foreman of Newbury station.

Alf Wells had a tour of the driver's cab on the Class 800 Intercity Express

Ms Sneddon said: "Alf is amazingly independent. He goes to the supermarket each week, does his own cooking, and his house is brilliantly tidy.

"He walks around where he lives most mornings to stay as fit as possible and does 20 squats each morning, holding on to his towel rail.

"I never cease to be amazed by how many people know Alf - many since his days of managing Newbury station.

"His brain is razor sharp, despite his great age, and, like many old people, his longer-term memory is superb - he knows the engine numbers of most steam and diesel trains and, when telling stories of his work, will mention them along with the name of the train driver."

During his visit to Stamford Bridge, Mr Wells was presented with a special football shirt bearing his name.

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