A soccer fan had the entire dwelling finish of a stadium to himself after police banned anybody with sure postal codes.
Steven Faughnan, 36, from Scotland, helps Italian facet Atalanta and watched them win 3-0 towards Napoli on Sunday – all whereas sitting on his personal.
Police guidelines meant he had all the dwelling part of Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to himself.
Courtesy of Steven Faughnan / SWNS
Resulting from public security considerations, anybody with a Lombardy postcode had been barred from shopping for tickets to the match – however Steven, along with his Edinburgh handle, was in a position to safe his seat.
Steven stated he was conscious of the distinctive scenario earlier than shopping for a ticket – and says he tried to maintain the house facet spirit alive regardless of the empty seats.
“I knew it could be tough to get a ticket for Napoli given the earlier restrictions however thought I might journey over anyway,” stated Steven.
“I bought fortunate I used to be in a position to purchase a ticket and was handled to a beautiful Atalanta efficiency. It’s simply unhappy that life lengthy followers from Bergamo couldn’t expertise it stay.”
“I had this week booked off from work for the final 6 months with the intention of going to any video games that Atalanta have been enjoying.”
Courtesy of Steven Faughnan / SWNS
“It was an incredible expertise being a solo away fan in such a giant stadium. I did attempt to make some noise nevertheless it was tough!”
Steven grew to become a fan of the workforce after assembly Atalanta followers at a Hibernian recreation in 2016 – and since then, Steven and accomplice Lauren have develop into common guests to Bergamo.
“I grew to become curious about Atalanta round 2016 when a small group of Atalanta followers got here and stood with me and my buddies at a Hibernian recreation,” stated Steven.
“I then bought in contact with one of many lads, Giulio, when me and Lauren have been occurring vacation in Milan.”He managed to assist us get tickets for the sport v Roma – the opening match of the 2017 season, 1-0 defeat.”
That was us hooked, cherished town, the folks, the soccer and the superb ambiance in and across the stadium.
“I’ve been to round 24 Atalanta video games since then and met so many good people who find themselves at all times so useful.”
Steven has now travelled to Germany to look at the away recreation at Stuttgart, and says he and Lauren will return to Bergamo on the weekend for the workforce’s recreation towards the Udinese.
“For me following Atalanta is about greater than successful trophies – though that was superb in Dublin – it’s in regards to the connection the membership must it’s metropolis and supporters.
“It’s not like something I’ve seen earlier than, which is what bought me hooked!”
