Pune Media

Football fan travels from India to see Brigg Town play

Jake Zuckerman & Emma Petrie

BBC News

BBC Rohan stands on the pitch at Brigg Town and smiles for the camera.  He wears a thick pair of black glasses and a light blue shirt.BBC

Rohan Chowdhury became a fan of Brigg Town during lockdown

A football fan who travelled 5,000 miles (8,047km) to see lower league side Brigg Town play on Saturday said he was “overwhelmed”.

Rohan Chowdhury, 27, from Kolkata in India, became a fan of the Lincolnshire club during lockdown.

Mr Chowdhury, who watches every game online, said the sport brought people together, “making the world a smaller place”.

After a tour of the club, he travelled to North Ferriby where he led Brigg Town out on to the pitch for their pre-season friendly against Hull Utd, which they won 4-2.

Jim wears a grey jumper over a black polo shirt and smiles for the camera.  He is stood on the side of the pitch next to covered seating.

Jim Huxford, chairman of Brigg Town FC, previously posted one of the club’s shirts to Mr Chowdhury

Mr Chowdhury, who is a sports journalist in India, was visiting England for the first time to cover the cricket series and took the opportunity to visit the club.

“I’m a huge football fan”, he said. “I have always had a fascination with non-league football in England.”

Brigg Town competes in Northern Counties East League Division One.

Mr Chowdhury began chatting with managers at the club from afar and was soon helping out with their social media channels.

“Everyone was quite surprised that someone from Kolkata was actually interacting on social media on a regular basis and it was quite fun,” he said.

A wide view of the pitch and the stand. The surface is bright green with newly painted lines.  There is a group of people standing on the pitch in the background.

£1.5m has been spent at the club to upgrade the pitch and changing facilities

Jim Huxford, the club chairman, met Mr Chowdhury at the railway station at the start of his visit.

“It’s nice when you get attention from half the way across the world,” Mr Huxford said.

“I’m quite emotional anyway, so I had a little tear in my eye. I gave him a big hug.”

The stadium at Wrawby Road has recently undergone a £1.5m refurbishment, with the work due to be completed soon.

“I think it’s such a lovely connection that sports bring to you,” Mr Chowdhury said.

“I am from a different country altogether and there’s no physical connection, so this friendship gives you a message that’s also much bigger than the sport itself.

“It brings people together and makes the world a much smaller place.”

Mr Chowdhury said he intended to return to Lincolnshire to watch the club play again.

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