A Norwich City legend gave people living with dementia plenty of reasons to smile as he shared his stories of the good old days.

Eastern Daily Press: Former NCFC player Terry Allcock speaking at the Still On The Ball dementia session at Carrow Road. Picture: ANTONY KELLYFormer NCFC player Terry Allcock speaking at the Still On The Ball dementia session at Carrow Road. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Terry Allcock, 81, gave a guest talk for Still on the Ball, a group set up by Age UK Norfolk to help people living with dementia to share their favourite memories of the sport.

At the group's monthly meeting in Carrow Road's 59ers room on Thursday, Mr Allcock spoke about his love of football and cricket as he was growing up in Leeds, his entry into professional football with Bolton Wanderers aged 18, and the ups and downs of his 1958-69 career as a forward with the Canaries.

'My father always thought I was better at cricket than I was at football, but I personally preferred football,' said Mr Allcock to the group of 16 people who attended the talk.

'I found sport and playing easy and enjoyable, I was always confident that no matter who I played against or with I was comparable,' he added.

Eastern Daily Press: Terry Allcock in his playing days for Norwich City.Terry Allcock in his playing days for Norwich City. (Image: Archant)

Still on the Ball was set up by Age UK Norwich in November 2015 to give football fans living with dementia a place to remember their love of the beautiful game and make new friends.

Gina Brown, 48, is the volunteer co-ordinator for Age UK Norwich, who set up the project after working for a similar football reminiscence project in Aberdeen, and says football is often a jumping off point for the group to talk about other memories.

'If they are talking about a pair of football boots they bought then it's not just about the boots, it's about the memories they spark: where they bought them, the weather that day, who was with them in the shops, all that sort of thing,' she said.

The 90-minute sessions are entirely run by volunteers who are passionate about football and trained to have knowledge of memory problems.

Still on the Ball takes place on the first Thursday of every month between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Those interested in volunteering can contact Claire Kerrison, Outreach Activities Coordinator, by emailing claire.kerrison@ageuknorwich.org.uk or calling 07786900685, or contacting Gina Brown, Volunteer Coordinator, by emailing gina.brown@ageuknorwich.org.uk tel or calling 01603 397784.