Watford great Luther Blissett surprises 95-year-old Kings Langley fundraiser

Des Hodges took up the activity around a year ago and has been selling them to help raise money for an end of Covid party that is being planned where he lives at Friars Mead Care Home in Kings Langley.

Des’ daughter Maureen Hastie put a couple of the blankets on Facebook to see if anyone would be interested in buying one. A number of orders were placed, one of which was from Luther’s partner Lauren Fox who asked for a blanket in Watford’s colours.

The blanket was completed at the end of January, but following some conversations it was decided to save collection for a few weeks so Luther could surprise Des by picking it up in person on his 95th birthday on Wednesday.

A special birthday surprise: Luther and Des

Maureen said her father had described it as “one of the best birthday surprises he’s ever had", while Watford’s record goal scorer added: “It was really lovely. To do that for me was just brilliant.

“I spoke to at least three other people in there who were Watford supporters or their family members are as well, so it really made it a special day.”

Des lived in Mill End, Rickmansworth, before moving to Friars Mead and was a former milkman who became an assistant manager for Express Dairy.

He has so far raised about £120 in cash with his knitting, but he also has a JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/desknitting. This also contains an email address for placing orders.