For North Carolina-based football fan Chris Barrett, the trip to the United Kingdom to watch his favourite team in action was a long-cherished dream, after years of saving money.
If only the match had not been cancelled.
Barrett, a 36-year-old United States schoolteacher, was putting a brave face on the disappointment on Saturday, saying he had enjoyed the trip nonetheless, despite not getting to see Forest Green Rovers take to the pitch.
“They have given me signed shirts and a scarf and all sorts of memorabilia. They’ve put me up, and me and the vice-chairman are best chums now,” Barrett said.
The father of four, who coaches football at home, became attached to lowly Forest Green Rovers, who play in England’s minor, semi-professional Nationwide Conference league, through a computer game that lets players manage a team of their choice.
After picking Forest Green Rovers, Barrett said he soon developed a genuine attachment for the team.
“From there, I started to look at the club website at the time when they were trying to stay up [in the same division] at the end of the 1999/2000 season. It was a really fun time and from there I was hooked.”
After gradually saving up, Barrett booked a journey to the club’s home in Gloucestershire, central England, to watch them play regional rivals Hereford, only to find out just before leaving that the game had been called off.
Barrett decided to go anyway, adding: “They think I’m crazy here.” — AFP