Rangers fan, 82, finds friendship at rival club after cancer diagnosis

An 82-year-old lifelong Rangers fan has found new ‘family’ in the welcoming arms of a rival club’s charity after losing his wife and battling cancer.

Wilson Tudor jokes that he’s now living with “mixed loyalties” after finding vital support at the award-winning The Killie Community, the charitable arm of Kilmarnock FC.

His journey to the charity, which supports people of all ages across Ayrshire, came after a period of profound loss. In December 2020, during the height of the pandemic, his wife Georgina passed away following complications from a fall.

Because of COVID restrictions, he was unable to be by her side in hospital. Clearly emotional, he said: “I struggled for a year. I really, really struggled.”

Some time later, a conversation at Irvine Bogside Golf Club, where he is a member, prompted him to be tested for prostate cancer. The results were devastating as the consultant confirmed he had the disease.  

Thankfully, it had been caught early and was contained within the prostate. After radiotherapy and regular PSA monitoring, he is now doing well.

But it was the emotional recovery that proved harder.

A leaflet handed to him by the consultant led him to sign up for a 12-week prostate cancer support programme at The Killie Community. He went along and has never really left.

Wilson, who spent a long career in the commercial vehicle industry, said: “They were so good to me. The welcome you get here… it’s therapy. Chatting is the best therapy you can have. Now they are like family to me.”

Through various 12-week support programmes as well as weekly walking groups and a football memories get-together, Wilson rebuilt not just his fitness, but his confidence and social circle.

“My circle of friends would be much smaller without this place. You need people. You need to talk.”

He laughs about attending matches at Rugby Park as a Rangers supporter. “I did struggle with my loyalties when Rangers won 5-1.” 

Beyond exercise and football, The Killie Community has supported him in practical ways too, from home safety visits from the Fire Service to trusted advice that helped him switch energy providers.

“It’s not just about fitness. You trust the people here to support you.”

A regular face at sessions, the dad-of-two is also a grandfather and great-grandfather who keeps busy with family dinners and golf club lunches. He encourages others to take that first step.

“I would recommend it any time. Make the most of your life. Every day’s a bonus.”

Jordan Allison, head of charity, said: “Wilson is a great example of why The Killie Community exists. It’s about far more than football or fitness; it’s about belonging.

“After everything he’s been through, from losing his wife to facing a cancer diagnosis, he could easily have become isolated. Instead, he chose to walk through our doors. Since then, we’ve seen him rebuild not just his strength, but his confidence, his friendships and his sense of purpose.

“We’re incredibly proud to be part of his journey, and even prouder that he now sees this place as family.”