Centenarian football supporter says deep love for club has sustained him to milestone birthday

Centenarian Hilbert Willis at Lakeview Park home of Loughgall Football Club near Armagh in County Armagh. Hilbert has been a lifelong supporter and was previously the club's groundskeeper for 30 years and as chairman for almost a decade. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday February 13 2024. See PA story ULSTER Loughgall. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A deep love for his local football team has sustained a Co Armagh centenarian to his 100th year.

Hilbert Willis has devotedly followed Loughgall Football Club all his life, serving as groundsman for 30 years and as chairman for almost a decade.

He further cemented his stalwart status over the coronavirus lockdown by walking 100 laps of the Lakeview Park ground to raise £28,000 for the club.

His legacy has already been marked with a stand named after him.

To honour his 100th birthday this week, the club gave that love back with a series of celebrations of Mr Willis's life.

Deep love for local football team sustains Co Armagh centenarian

He was even hailed as an "absolute champion of the Irish League" by rival Larne FC's chairman Gareth Clements and presented with a cake at Loughgall's away match at Inver Park on Friday night.

The main party came back in Loughgall over the weekend with a video message from Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill among others, but there was a further surprise on Monday with a mention at the recently resurrected Stormont Assembly.

DUP Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley paid tribute to Mr Willis as a "living legend" before the MLAs.

But the modest pensioner has taken it all in his stride, even joking that he is glad all the celebrations are coming to an end.

"It's been going on now for over a week, dinner on Saturday evening and a big