Guide dog gives ex-England football star a new lease of life

A FORMER England footballer star has been offered a lifeline in the shape of a new guide dog.
Lartington’s Dave Thomas was given golden labrador Hannah by the Guide Dogs UK charity late last year. The ex-QPR, Burnley and Middlesbrough winger has suffered from severe glaucoma for the past 16 years. But he revealed how Hannah has made a huge difference to his life in a few short months.
“She’s given me so much independence,” he said.
“A lot of people wanted to know when I got my dog but we had to keep it under wraps because guide dogs have very strict criteria.
“One, I was not really qualified and two, I needed to be fairly confident when the press and TV came knocking.”
Training a guide dog costs about £50,000 as well as months of drilling. The 66-year-old has been put through his paces too – attending a special training camp with Hannah over in Egglescliffe, near Darlington.
“How they train those dogs beggars belief – it’s just amazing,” added Mr Thomas.
“I took her to Middlesbrough v Leicester and she just sat beside us and watched the game. After the game she was in hospitality and sat under the table – it was just unbelievable.”
Mr Thomas is now the only living ex-pro footballer to own a guide dog. He returned to his Teesdale roots with his wife, Brenda, six years ago but gradually found his peripheral vision and independence fading. Hannah has helped that situation.
“I can get the bus on my own to town and I don’t have to rely on Brenda to drive me around,” said Mr Thomas.
“I can toddle off on my own and we’ve walked back from Barnard Castle as part of my training. We’ve done routes for training so the dog knows when we’re going to Cotherstone Post Office.”
Discipline is key for both Mr Thomas and Hannah.
With specialist training under their belts, both will negotiate a train journey to see QPR play Brighton on April 3 before taking to the pitch at half-time.
“If you asked me ten years ago if I’d have a guide dog I would have laughed,” said Mr Thomas. “But you don’t know what goes into it until you need one. I have learned more in the past two months since having her than I ever have.”
The former PE teacher has spent the past year and a half raising about £25,000 for Guide Dogs UK.
He added: “People have been so supportive – I appreciate what they’ve done because it’s a self-funded charity and doesn’t get government help.”
The fundraiser is still running – to donate, go to: justgiving.com/DavidThomas7