Golden oldie: Wolves oldest fan Phyllis, 105, celebrates promotion

It may take football-loving pensioner Phyllis Coen a bit longer to get to her feet these days but there's no doubting where her loyalties lie.

At 105 years of age, the chirpy centenarian is the gold-and-black's oldest fan, and often dons her club shirt for events at the Wolverhampton care centre she now calls home.

The retired piano teacher even goes to matches when she can, as long as the weather is fine, which unfortunately has ruled out most games during Wolves' momentous promotion-winning season.

The last match she attended was 18 months ago at Molineux when the home side drew 1-1 against Burton Albion, a score that turned out to be an omen for the club's disappointing 2016-17 run.

But Phyllis has found other ways of supporting her team, not least decorating her bedroom at Eversleigh Care Centre in Albert Road with photographs of the team and of herself and other residents at matches.

She has also customised her zimmer frame with the Wolves emblem.

Humour

Activities co-ordinator Theresa Boyce said: "Phyllis is really good fun, with a dry sense of humour, and always ready to join in anything we do. She's one of several Wolves here, and we've all enjoyed this season as the wins started piling up."

Phyllis, who has attended matches with fellow resident Terry Cartwright, was widowed in 2013 after 51 years of marriage to Michael Coen, and lived independently in the Goldthorn Hill area until three years ago.

The accomplished pianist can occasionally be persuaded to tickle the ivories on the home's organ to the delight of residents and staff.

Although she doesn't have any surviving family, she has good friends who visit regularly, say staff.

Asked about her favourite Wolves team, Phyllis said she had fond memories of 'the Doog' days in the 1960s and 70s when striker Derek Dougan helped the club to win promotion out of the Second Division, and lift the Texaco Cup and League Cup.

Among other Wolves fans at the home is 94-year-old Clara Jones, whose grandfather Joe Jones played 15 games for the club between 1898 and 1903.