STORIES of Bolton Wanderers glory days and star players are helping to tackle a combination of loneliness, depression, and dementia.

The club has hosted the first in a planned series of social get togethers for sports fans over the age of 50.

Organised by the Sporting Memories Network (SMN) in partnership with with Bolton Wanderers Community Trust, the monthly meet up at The Macron Stadium provide friendship, support and a change to stimulate memories of the game.

Phil Mason, Bolton Wanderers club chaplain and head of the trust said: “One of the aims of Bolton is to become a dementia friendly town and that is something the club supports as part of the trust programme.

“Those who are 50 plus, particularly men, can feel isolated and lonely, they are invited along to share their memories and we can help.

“The launch was a real success and everyone enjoyed themselves.

“There was a chap who came along who had a stroke not to long ago but made his way here to share his memories, the fact he did that is very encouraging as it shows the group can help make a difference.”

The group was joined by former players Brian Pilkington, Tony Kelly, John Thomas and Roy Greaves who chatted and shared their stories with attendees.

Members of the community trust also sought out some of the club’s memorabilia.

Trust lead officer Richard Slater added: “From the club archive we got items from the 50s through to the 90s, photographs from memorable years like the time Bolton won the cup, pictures of Burden Park, matchday programmes.

“Everyone spoke about the players and the games and it created a friendly and open atmosphere.”

SMN groups already established in Trafford, Manchester, and Salford.

It plans to establish four more groups in Bolton within the next 12 months, aiming to provide support for a number of people including those who dementia diagnosis.

Great Manchester area project coordinator Jason White said: “We are really excited to be working with Bolton Wanderers because it is a massive club with a rich history.

The free Sporting Memories group will meet at The Macron Stadium main reception, in Burnden Way, on the first Friday of every month from 11am – 12.30pm.