More than a hundred passionate Spanish football fans traveled nearly 1,000 miles to cheer for Harborough Town FC, a non-league team, during a match against St Ives. This surprising gathering at the modest Bowden Park stadium was celebrated by the attendees, who were seen wearing the club's yellow kits while joyfully chanting in Spanish, despite the team ultimately losing 2-1 in the Southern League Premier Division Central match.
The Spanish supporters' visit was part of a collaboration with La Media Inglesa (LMI), a YouTube channel established in 2018 that connects Spanish-speaking fans with English football matches. The initiative, inspired by LMI's Barcelona-born founder Ilie Oleart, aimed to highlight a smaller English club and boost its global fanbase. Following a voting process among subscribers, Harborough Town FC was chosen, which led to the arrangement of this remarkable trip, marking a significant moment for the club.
After visiting the club last September to learn about its history and values, Oleart expressed that they found Harborough Town a fitting choice for their audience. The presence of the Spanish fans surprised many of the local supporters, but once explained, they felt welcomed and even joined the chorus of Spanish cheers. The enthusiasm created by the visitors was noted by Carlos González León from LMI, who commented on the positive reaction from locals, emphasizing that their loud support contributed significantly to the game's atmosphere.
In a forward-looking perspective, matches involving Harborough Town in their league will now be broadcast live on the LMI YouTube channel to cater to these Spanish fans. Carlos hinted at the potential for returning in the future, stating that while the seventh tier of English football might surprise people, it offers quality competition, facilities, and excitement comparable to the third or fourth divisions in Spain. New supporter Alvaro Sanz from Madrid shared the local fans' astonishment at the gathering of Spanish attendees, while longtime fan Rick Wood commended the Spanish fans for enhancing the matchday experience with their exemplary behavior.
6 Comments
Marishka
What a fantastic initiative! Connecting different football cultures is what it’s all about!
Pupsik
Even in defeat, the atmosphere created by these fans is something remarkable. Real dedication!
Marishka
This shows that the love of football knows no borders! Proud of the Harborough Town fans!
Pupsik
What a ridiculous stunt for attention. There are far more established clubs that deserve support.
Marishka
This is absolutely amazing! Football is about passion, and these fans really show that spirit!
sagormia
Imagine if they devoted their energy to something meaningful instead of a team that barely exists in the football world.