The Spoiler

Man City fans hire a fishing trawler to reach UEFA Cup tie


Frugal supporters choose least efficient mode of transport possible

Manchester City Fishing Trawler

When facing community service for the Kung Fu assault of a cocky Crystal Palace fan, Manchester Utd legend Eric Cantona philosophically told the press: “when the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea”.

Taking inspiration from the zany Frenchman’s words, a group of fans from down the road at Eastlands have decided to hire a fishing trawler to reach the Faroe Islands for tomorrow’s crunch UEFA Cup tie with EB/Streymur:

The boat - which cost the fans £285 each - left the UK yesterday and will get to Torshavn tomorrow - just in time to see City and their new manager Mark Hughes take on EB/Streymur.

Organiser Leighton Gobbett, 27, said: “This should be the funniest trip ever to a football match.”

Another fan said: “We must be the first supporters to use a fishing trawler. Let’s hope City stick a few in the net.”

Twelve fans will be travelling for three days each way, covering a distance which is roughly the equivalent of London to Munich, just to take in the 90 minute match.

Of course, if they had worked the six travelling days instead, they probably could have afforded something a little more comfortable…

Spoiler bonus: Two weeks ago, we showed you EB/Streymur’s picturesque 1,000 capacity stadium.

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Posted: July 16th, 2008 by Ryan Bailey

Rock stars and tiny grounds halt Manchester City’s UEFA Cup plans


Glamour tie against Faroe Islands side encounters problems

Faroe Islands manchester City UEFA Cup

Yesterday we told you how Manchester City’s forthcoming UEFA Cup home tie has been moved to Barnsley’s Oakwell Stadium because soft rockers Bon Jovi tore up the pitch.

The July 17th away leg against Faroese side EB/Streymur has also had to be moved, as their tiny picturesque Við Margáir stadium holds just 1,000 people. This is obviously not enough to cope with Manchester City’s travelling army, plus the expense fishing all of Darius Vassell’s wayward shots out of the sea was deemed far too high. As Mark Hughes was less than happy about kicking off his City managerial debut in a location where the most viable means of transport is a mountain goat, the tie will now be played at one of the bigger grounds of the tiny Danish province.

More pictures of their charming little stadium after the jump…

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Posted: July 3rd, 2008 by Ryan Bailey