Hodthorpe: Blades fan Jack celebrates his century in style

Sheffield United fan Jack Proffitt had an extra special guest at his 100th birthday party - Blades legend Tony Currie.
Jack Proffitt was joined by Sheffield United legend Tony Currie for his 100th birthdayJack Proffitt was joined by Sheffield United legend Tony Currie for his 100th birthday
Jack Proffitt was joined by Sheffield United legend Tony Currie for his 100th birthday

Jack, from Hodthorpe, was joined by family and friends at Whitwell Community Centre to celebrate his centenary and his son John knew just the way to make the occasion even more special.

“Dad’s always been a huge Sheffield United fan, he used to go regularly when he was younger,” said Jack’s daughter Barbara Kitts, who was among the family members there, along with John and Jack’s other daughter Kathleen.

“So John knew a visit from someone from the club would be something Dad would really enjoy and they sent along one of the club legends in Tony Currie.”

“He brought Dad a special book about the club which was signed by him and other United players and by the actor Sean Bean, who is a big Blades fan too.”

As well as Tony Currie and his three children, Jack was joined by family members from far and wide, including five of his six grandchildren and six of his seven great-grandchildren.

There was also another surprise as his step-sister Marjorie Bayliss came to the event, the first time the pair had seen each other in almost 10 years.

“Marjorie uses a wheelchair and Dad doesn’t have the facilities to cope with that at his house and he doesn’t go out much these days so they don’t get to see each other so it was lovely for them both, really quite emotional,” continued Barbara.

“Dad said he didn’t want a fuss made of his birthday but once everyone started arriving, he really enjoyed it and we all had a lovely day.”

The surprises and special guest well-wishers didn’t end at the Whitwell party as Jack was also given a party by Hodthorpe Working Men’s Club, where he has been a member for 82 years, where among those coming to see him was the Bolsover MP Dennis Skinner.

“They chatted away about various things and Dennis looked at Dad’s paintings and it was another lovely thing for him and he had a really good time,” said Barbara.

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