Patient gets a surprise visit from Pompey footballer

A patient staying in hospital over Christmas received a surprise visit from Portsmouth FC player, Marlon Pack.

Patient and season ticket holder Mick Clifford from North End was shocked to see one of his football team walk onto the Lotus Rehab Centre to wish him a Merry Christmas.

Mick said: "It was a real shock to see Marlon at the hospital, I had to do a double take! I have been in hospital for about 10 weeks now after being diagnosed with Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) so it was a great surprise and morale booster to spend some time with Marlon. I even got a signed shirt which was a brilliant Christmas present."

Lotus Rehab Centre Senior Sister, Sue Morris said: “It was fantastic to welcome Portsmouth Football Club to our Lotus Rehab Centre over the festive period. Our patients are often here for several weeks or months and visits like this really make a difference, especially at Christmas.”

On his time with the team at the Lotus Rehab Centre Mick continued: "I have been really looked after during my time here, I had lots of visits from family on Christmas Day and I had my Christmas dinner too. I am looking forward to getting back home in a couple of weeks and being able to watch Marlon and the rest of the Pompey football team at Fratton Park very soon."