A 79-year-old Balhousie Care Group resident has caught the hearts of football fans across Scotland after being caught on camera at Celtic Park.
Bill burst into song during a visit to see Celtic play Real Madrid on Tuesday night. As the crowds sang You’ll Never Walk Alone, Bill joined in.
A member of the care staff caught it on camera and it was posted on social media. At the last count it had racked up almost 70,000 views on Balhousie’s social media channels, and more than 300,000 on TikTok, where it was posted by Celtic FC Foundation.
Bill, a resident at Balhousie Clement Park care home in Dundee, loves a sing-song and has appeared on the care group’s YouTube channel before. But this time was special as he stood in Celtic Park’s Sensory Room and sang to a backdrop of thousands of fans. The Sensory Room is sponsored by Balhousie Care Group.
@celticfcfoundation The power of football 💚⚽️ Bill, a resident of Balhousie Care Group, gave an emotional rendition of #ynwa in our Sensory Room before Tuesday’s match #celticfc #fyp #charity #cfcfoundation #celticpark #celticfans
A lifelong football fan and follower of Dundee United, Bill used to play for Lochee United in his youth and was active with its social club for many years, as well as following every one of the club’s games. The former stonemason moved into Clement Park in 2020, where he regularly entertains residents and staff. He was also a member of a dementia choir in Dundee.
Clement Park Home Manager Cheryl Roy, herself a big football fan (her husband is Richard ‘Shaka’ Roy, who plays for Downfield F.C.), is trying to keep Bill’s football memories alive by taking him to matches.
Cheryl and Bill are now regular visitors to Lochee United’s Thomson Park. Says Cheryl: “Even though he’s not a Celtic fan, he was thrilled to bits to be visiting Celtic Park. The fact he started singing says it all – that’s Bill in his element, with music and football!”
Bill “loves all sports – except cricket!” says his wife Jean, to whom he has been married for 34 years. “His face lit up when we talked about his visit to Thomson Park. I’m so grateful for Cheryl for taking him there.”
Among Bill’s other loves are bowling.
