The Cutest Luton Fan: How Guide Dog Geoffrey Became Famous
After the recent match between Luton and Tottenham in the 8th round of the English Football Premier League, a certain guide dog named Geoffrey gained quite a reputation. A video of Geoffrey sleeping at the stadium went viral on social media and captured the hearts of football fans worldwide.
Geoffrey's unexpected rise to fame came as a pleasant surprise to his owner, Matt Claridge. Being born blind, 44-year-old Matt relies on his guide dog's assistance to navigate the world. For over 6 years, Geoffrey has faithfully accompanied Matt to football games, although his true passion lies in peacefully snoozing during the matches.
Initially, Matt used to attend Luton games alongside his father, Chris. However, circumstances changed in 2016 when his father fell ill and spent four months in the hospital awaiting a liver transplant. Concurrently, Chris battled and overcame bowel cancer.
During this challenging period, Matt found himself without a companion to go to matches with. That's when Geoffrey stepped up to fill the role. Even after Chris's recovery, the faithful dog continued to accompany Matt to his beloved club's home games.
While Geoffrey used to join Matt on away trips, the dog no longer partakes in such travels due to concerns over logistics and the presence of alcohol at away games. It is vital to ensure the safety and well-being of Geoffrey, minimizing any additional stress he may experience.
Geoffrey's support for his master extends beyond the stadium. The 9-year-old dog adeptly guides Matt around not only the stadium but also other areas. During halftime breaks, Geoffrey wears a special harness and accompanies Matt to the restrooms or snack bar. Throughout the games, Geoffrey mostly slumbers but occasionally awakens to react to referee whistles or goals. When Matt jumps up to celebrate, his loyal companion eagerly follows suit, standing up on his own paws.
Sadly, Geoffrey's football adventures will soon come to an end. While his guide license has been extended until September 2024, the aging dog will retire in approximately 11 months, at the age of 10.5 years. Geoffrey will continue attending games until the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, potentially making appearances at some matches in the English Championship should Luton retain their place in the Premier League. However, the prospects are not favorable. According to bookmakers' odds from Legalbet, the Hatters are highly likely to finish between 18th and 20th place, resulting in relegation to the lower division (Championship). If the bookmakers' predictions prove accurate, Geoffrey will attend a couple of Championship games before embarking on a well-deserved retirement.
Chris will assume responsibility for caring for Geoffrey following his retirement, while Matt patiently awaits a new guide dog. The process of acquiring a new companion can take up to 2 years, but during this time, Matt intends to continue attending Luton matches, accompanied by his father, Chris.
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