A hospital driver who has been with an NHS Trust for over 22 years has got a video message from football royalty.
Brian Davis, one of the oldest healthcare workers at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital, retired on Friday, aged 77.
Wolves vice-president and former club record goalscorer John Richards sent Mr Davis a video greeting to celebrate his retirement.
Mr Davis, dubbed “Wolves Mad” by the NHS Trust, has served as a Molineux steward since 1988.
In the video, Mr Richards said: “Just calling to wish you well and thank you for all your years of support.
“I think Mike Bailey is your favourite player. wonderful choice, wonderful leader, and possibly the best captain I ever played for at Wolves. “What a lovely man.”
Many at the hospital refer to Mr Davis as ‘Pukka’ after he was spotted at a Wolves away game next to a sign advertising Pukka Pies. In his video message to Mr Davis, John Richards stated: “And I just want to say go and celebrate in style at the next football match at Wolves.” I’ve arranged for additional Pukka Pies to be delivered, so enjoy yourself.Have a wonderful retirement, Brian, and enjoy your celebration.”
Mr. Davis shared: “It was fantastic – I wasn’t expecting anything like that so it was a lovely surprise.”John is a Wolves icon, so I greatly appreciate it, and I will personally thank him when I see him at Molineux.” Mr Davis began as a porter for the hospital trust in 2002, working through an agency, before becoming a permanent employee in June 2003.
Initially, he worked the halls at New Cross Hospital before joining a crew of three to deliver notes around the campus in a van.
Brian held this position until the pandemic, when he was reassigned to a less public-facing function of delivering letters to patients’ homes because he was considered vulnerable. He had been doing so until last September, when he fell at work and spent seven weeks in the hospital.
“Overall I have really enjoyed it because of the camaraderie with the patients and the staff,” he told me.
“I’m sure I will miss everyone and they will no doubt miss calling me ‘Pukka’, which is what a lot of the porters call me!”
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