Signature at Hendon Hall opened its doors to footballers and fans as part of a fundraising campaign to  support the Bobby Moore Fund at Cancer Research UK. 

England’s winning World Cup squad stayed at Hendon Hall during the 1966 tournament, when it was a hotel. Now a luxury care home, Signature at Hendon Hall launched a nationwide hunt for the autograph hunters pictured on a black and white photo of the children who flocked to the hotel to cheer on the World Cup squad in 1966.

With the help of BBC presenter Jenny Bond, the Signature Senior Lifestyle care home tracked down 70-year-old Michael Hart,  pictured alongside Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Moore on the photo. Michael was invited to a celebration event at the home, along with the local Garston Ladies FC U8P squad, which Signature Senior Lifestyle sponsors, and the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Nagus Narenthira.

The group, including resident John Marshall, unveiled a plaque to Bobby Moore and celebrated the naming of the Captain’s Corner in the home’s bar, Bar 66.

During the celebration the home revealed a six-month fundraising campaign among staff and residents had raised £1,500 for the Bobby Moore Fund, which supports pioneering research into bowel cancer.

Michael donated his autograph book featuring autographs of nine of the 11 1966 starting players to the Bobby Moore Fund so that it can be auctioned to raise further funds.

Guests were also treated to a specially recorded message to the home by former Lioness and current BBC broadcaster, Anita Asante. Guests and residents watched the opening game of the Lionesses campaign in the 2023 Women’s World Cup and shared their memories of tournaments over the years.

John Marshall, resident at Signature Senior Lifestyle, said: “We are so proud that our home holds such a special place in both national and footballing history. I idolised the 1966 squad growing up, so it has been a pleasure to raise funds in Bobby Moore’s honour and to hear from the new generation of footballing stars.”

Rakhee Popat, client liaison manager at Signature at Hendon Hall, said: “We were so excited when we found one of the young autograph hunters, Michael, and so pleased he was able to join the event.”