Leeds United man's surprise visit and TV gesture for lifelong fans
A Leeds United midfielder has celebrated a new off-field role with a surprise visit to a trio of lifelong Whites fans.
Ilia Gruev has previously worked alongside Community Integrated Care, one of the UK's largest health and social care charities. The Bulgarian international has now become an ambassador for the charity and marked his new role with a pair of surprise visits to homes in the city this week to spend time with Leeds fans Barry Thornton, 88, Leslie Swithenbank, 71, and Jim Martin, 86. Gruev also paid for TV subscriptions so they can follow Leeds matches from their homes.
All three receive help from Community Integrated Care to live independently and Gruev heard about their memories of following the club he joined in 2023 from Werder Bremen.
“Meeting Barry, Leslie and Jim was a real reminder of what football means to people," he said. "Their love for Leeds United is incredible, and spending time with them was special. I’m proud to become an ambassador for Community Integrated Care and support the amazing work they do helping people live the best life possible. When you see what they do across the country, it's impressive. I want to help them and be part of this. The goal is to help these people, to appreciate them, give them a little bit of your time, to do something with them like a puzzle perhaps. This also gives me energy and I go home with a nice feeling. To help other people is, of course, the main goal: but it has other benefits when you do these kinds of things so it's a win-win for everybody.
Gruev enjoyed connecting with the trio on their shared passion, Leeds United. “It's crazy," he said. "You can see it everywhere. I was at two homes from Community Integrated Care and you see that everywhere you look there is Leeds United. The people speak about Leeds United Football Club and remember a lot about this team. It's nice when you have something which you can relate to with these people, something together. Sport and, especially around here, Leeds United Football Club, has such a big value when it comes to communicating with people: It doesn't matter if they are 12 years old or, like Barry, 88 years old, it's a nice topic to speak about.”
Barry, a former season ticket holder, is no longer able to get to games at Elland Road but was able to show Gruev a photo of the brick at the stadium bearing his name. Gruev left him a pair of signed match-worn boots and shirt, and also spent time chatting to another Leeds fan, Jim.
The 25-year-old then travelled across the city to a second home to meet Leslie, whose hospital admission last year prevented him from attending a special event at Elland Road. Gruev had already sent a get well video message and signed shirt prior to surprising him with a visit. The pair chatted about the club and joined forces to complete a Leeds United squad jigsaw.
.Community Integrated Care director of partnerships and communities John Hughes said: “Ilia’s visits meant the world to Leslie, Barry and Jim and their dedicated support teams who worked so hard to help facilitate these surprises.
“For Ilia to choose to share his time to enable the people we support to stay connected to the passions that bring them the greatest joy truly speaks volumes of his character and passion for the local community.
“We’re delighted to welcome Ilia as an Ambassador of Community Integrated Care. We know that his influence and inspiration will make a real difference in enabling us to help people lead their best life possible.”