There was a "home" fixture for Leyton Orient footballers Sam Ling and Scott Kashket when they visited Jewish Care's Vi and John Rubens House in Redbridge as the club's Mitzvah Day contribution.
The players chatted with residents, staff and volunteers and handed out tickets for an upcoming Orient game. And the visit was a source of pride for resident Tilly Stern, 93, who is Kashket's great-grandmother.
"I am very pleased Scott managed to get to do what he loves and I understand that he is quite good," she said.
"My husband, Harry, played football as a young man but lost his leg in the war.
"He would be very proud of Scott."
Kashket said that "visits like this give us a chance to get out into the community and meet people we wouldn't normally meet - and it's always lovely to see my great grandma".
They found a proud Orient fan in Monty Ward, 93, whose support dates back to the time the club was known as Clapton Orient.
Orient community liaison manager Howard Gould has organised the annual visit for six years.
"I am Jewish so I understand the relevance of Mitzvah Day," he explained. "The idea of doing something for someone else. Any vehicle to raise awareness of the idea of doing good deeds is to be encouraged."
The home's care manager, Mary O'Rourke, said that residents looked forward to the players' visit, so much so that "we have adopted Leyton Orient as our team now".
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