A lad took his grandad with dementia to Manchester City's final game of the 2021/22 Premier League season and their big day has gone viral. You can watch the incredible footage from the day below.
Charlie Gibson's 84-year-old grandad Barry Carr has been a City fan since he was six-years-old, and the club offered the pair tickets for the last match of the season against Aston Villa.
Recently though, Barry's dementia has been getting worse, and Charlie worried the occasion might all be too much.
Advert
"In the car on the way he started to fade," Charlie told ITV. "He couldn't remember my name so he just held my hand, but as soon as we got to the Etihad Stadium, he started smiling.
"I was worried it was all going to be too much for him but when he got into the stadium it was like all the memories came flooding back."
Whatever happened on the pitch, the occasion was always going to be special for Charlie and Barry - but the drama of the day took it to the next level.
Advert
Before kick-off, City sat above Liverpool in the table and looked odds-on to clinch the Premier League title; however, after going 2-0 down to Villa, it looked as though they were going to slip up at the final hurdle.
But in astonishing scenes, Pep Guardiola's side scored three goals in five minutes late in the second half, sparking jubilation in the Etihad; Barry even made it on to the pitch after the full-time whistle.
Charlie said: "It's an unbelievable memory to have - he is a City fan through and through - the whole day and the result made it feel like a rollercoaster.
"It was incredible to get him onto the pitch - even though we're not supposed to - it made it extra special.
Advert
"It was amazing to see the energy he got from being at the ground and enjoying the football.
"It was an emotional day - we have an amazing relationship, he's my real connection with City and this is my way of giving something back to him."
He added: "Even in the last two years, his condition has got worse but then to see him at the ground and how he lit up was just incredible.
Advert
"It shows that even if you have dementia, you can still have fun. He is still the same person, even if he finds things difficult to understand.
"These are memories I will cherish forever."
Charlie shared a video of their memorable day out on TikTok and it went viral, racking up more than 4.3 million views.
"I have had messages from lots of people who say it reminds them of their grandparents or father or wife," Charlie said.
Advert
"He's a real character and people have really connected with him, which is fantastic.
"If we can raise awareness of dementia and related illnesses at the same time and show that you can still have fun, then that's all that matters."
Words by Jake Massey.
Topics: Manchester City, Aston Villa, Premier League
The SPORTbible Team