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Hemel Hempstead Town fan makes 440 mile trip to games | Hemel Hempstead Town fan makes 440 mile trip to games |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A partially-sighted football fan who makes a 440 mile round trip with his guide dog to nearly every home game has been given a free season ticket. | A partially-sighted football fan who makes a 440 mile round trip with his guide dog to nearly every home game has been given a free season ticket. |
Colin Perreira, 22, travels on the train from Plymouth to Hertfordshire to see non-league Hemel Hempstead Town. | Colin Perreira, 22, travels on the train from Plymouth to Hertfordshire to see non-league Hemel Hempstead Town. |
He stands behind the Hemel goal but has to use the zoom on his phone camera to see most of the pitch. | He stands behind the Hemel goal but has to use the zoom on his phone camera to see most of the pitch. |
Hemel chairman Dave Boggins has rewarded his "dedication" with a ticket for as long as he is in charge. | Hemel chairman Dave Boggins has rewarded his "dedication" with a ticket for as long as he is in charge. |
Mr Perreira said he was "speechless" at the "incredible" offer by the club. | Mr Perreira said he was "speechless" at the "incredible" offer by the club. |
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"I was pretty shocked to say the very least, "he said. | "I was pretty shocked to say the very least, "he said. |
"I never, ever expected or thought the club would do something like that for me." | "I never, ever expected or thought the club would do something like that for me." |
It follows a collection that was started earlier this year - which included a donation from ex-England striker Teddy Sheringham, whose son Charlie played for Hemel - to pay for Mr Perreira's season ticket. | It follows a collection that was started earlier this year - which included a donation from ex-England striker Teddy Sheringham, whose son Charlie played for Hemel - to pay for Mr Perreira's season ticket. |
Mr Perreira, who was born in Hemel Hempstead and moved to Devon to study, still manages to get to see his club "most weeks". | Mr Perreira, who was born in Hemel Hempstead and moved to Devon to study, still manages to get to see his club "most weeks". |
He said his longest journey was when he travelled from Plymouth to Bognor Regis, via Hemel, where he joined up with up a fellow fan - 640 miles in total - for a Tuesday night match. | He said his longest journey was when he travelled from Plymouth to Bognor Regis, via Hemel, where he joined up with up a fellow fan - 640 miles in total - for a Tuesday night match. |
He added: "The main reason I go is because everyone knows me and everyone knows each other, it's such a tight-knit club. | He added: "The main reason I go is because everyone knows me and everyone knows each other, it's such a tight-knit club. |
"I know everyone by name and face, you don't really get that at the big clubs. You aren't going to know all 40,000 Chelsea fans." | "I know everyone by name and face, you don't really get that at the big clubs. You aren't going to know all 40,000 Chelsea fans." |
But he said it was a "heartbreaking" end to the season as they lost in the National League South play-offs against Braintree Town. | But he said it was a "heartbreaking" end to the season as they lost in the National League South play-offs against Braintree Town. |