Walk to Wembley

On March 22nd 2015 – Walsall Football Club ended their 127 year wait to make the trip to Wembley. They faced Bristol City in the final Johnstones Paint Trophy.

Graeme Brookes grandfather, Ronald ‘Ronaldo’ Brookes, was a life long Walsall FC fan. He watched his first game in 1922. He was there for every relegation to every promotion for 78 years! The thing that made him that extra bit special was…

He was deaf and blind. Born deaf and losing his sight as a teenager – he didn’t let it beat him and it certainly didn’t stop him watching Walsall as much as possible, both home and away. He would have the game ‘typed’ on his hand using ‘deaf/blind manual alphabet’ by his son (Graeme’s Dad) Paul and then as by Graeme as got older. However he could hear just about enough that when there was a loud cheer and he got vigorously shaken – we had scored!

After finally getting to Wembley after 127 years, Graeme felt it only appropriate to do something to represent Ronaldo and make his presence known on Walsall FC’s day of days.

He walked 20 miles a day for 7 and half consecutive days until finally reaching Wembley Way on Sunday March 22nd to watch the Super Saddlers.

Due to Ronaldo’s condition, he did need help and support throughout his life – particularly in his formative years and being a Walsall man his entire life, he received this from Walsall Society for the Blind.

Therefore to honour his grandfather and his love for Walsall FC he decided to combine the two and help raise as much money for charity. Graeme honoured his grandfather’s legacy by raising over £5,000 for Walsall Society for the Blind as well as supporting the football club he loved the most!

Well done Graeme.