Manchester United fans head for Moscow
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| LOYAL FANS: Steve Buswell (left) even gave up his job to be there' last year. He and Robin Baines (right) are now heading to Moscow to cheer the the Red Devils in the European Cup Final. Photo by Mark Harrison. (D8E070MH1) |
TWO loyal Manchester United fans from South Lakeland who are always there to cheer on their beloved football club will be joining Rooney, Ronaldo, Carrick and Co in Moscow.
Steve Buswell and Robin Baines will be in the Russian capital representing Kendal alongside thousands of Red Devil supporters who have not been put off by the cost and concerns over getting a visa to watch their team take on Chelsea in the European Cup Final.
For the duo, who have travelled across Europe many times for their love of the club, it is all part of life and nothing will get in the way - Mr Buswell even gave up his job last year when it threatened his chances of cheering on the lads in a crucial match in Italy.
"I went to the Roma away game and then we got drawn against AC Milan in the next round," he said. "I wanted to go to the Milan away game but they wouldn't give me the time off at work, because I'd been to Rome, so I said: Okay, well I'll finish work on Friday then.' And that was that."
The friends - who have paid £126 each for their tickets - are both members of the Manchester United Supporters' Club Westmorland Branch, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year.
More than 1,080 matches at Old Trafford have been attended by the branch, as well as numerous away trips in England and overseas.
Branch secretary Dennis Alderson is one of the longest serving in the country, after more than 27 years in the role,
and though he is not heading to Russia next week, he has seen more than his fair share of games.
There have been some amazing trips to play the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus, but those visits to lesser-known clubs stand out the most.
Mr Alderson, who went to the European Cup Finals in 1968 and 1999, said: "The best away trip for me was when we played Rotor Volgograd (in Russia) in 1995. We ended up flying back on the same plane as the team."
Much has been made of the game being played in Moscow, with two English teams and their fans having to travel more than 1,500 miles.
Mr Buswell, who as a boy of 12 saw the Red Devils overcome the mighty Benfica in the 1968 European Cup Final, said: "The venue has got to be shared around but they should have sorted it out before as there has been a lot of confusion over the visas."
Mr Alderson added: "The organisation of visas and so on was moving very slowly until Russian team Zenit St Petersburg got into the UEFA Cup Final at Manchester City's stadium - that definitely worked in our favour and as soon as they got through everything started to move a lot faster."
Mr Buswell and Mr Baines plan to do some sightseeing and visit Red Square during their three-day stay, before watching the newly-crowned Premier League champions in one of the biggest game in their history.
Mr Baines, who was there for the historic last-gasp victory in 1999 over Bayern Munich, said: "I'm hopeful we're going to win, especially after beating Chelsea to the Premier League on Sunday. We're really looking forward to it. We couldn't miss this one."
8:26am Friday 16th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Martin, Chorley on 4:26pm Fri 16 May 08
Robin Baines is a living legend - the man with the shrinking stomach. See you in Moscow -
Chorley Reds
Robin Baines is a living legend - the man with the shrinking stomach. See you in Moscow -
Chorley Reds
Posted by: quinny, eccles on 5:54pm Fri 16 May 08
hope the saunas are as good in moscow as in copenhagen all the best lads up the reds
hope the saunas are as good in moscow as in copenhagen all the best lads up the reds
Posted by: quinny, eccles on 5:59pm Fri 16 May 08
don,t 4get your wallet robin you,ll need it dont let them ruskys rip you off every think will be doubled but not trebled if the chelsea fans get the punn haha
don,t 4get your wallet robin you,ll need it dont let them ruskys rip you off every think will be doubled but not trebled if the chelsea fans get the punn haha
Posted by: Dougie the Manx Red on 8:29am Sat 17 May 08
Robin, don't forget mate, they should be four inches and float. C'mon you Reds
Robin, don't forget mate, they should be four inches and float. C'mon you Reds
Posted by: Snip Snap, Chorley on 3:44pm Sat 17 May 08
I can't believe this is the same Robin Baines!
What is your weight loss secret Robin?
I can't believe this is the same Robin Baines!
What is your weight loss secret Robin?
Posted by: TrueBlue, Mancunia on 11:50am Mon 19 May 08
I totally agree with all the commentators that they should have switched the final from Moscow to Wembley when they found out two English teams were contesting the final.
It would have been just a leisurely walk round the corner for most Utd fans!
I totally agree with all the commentators that they should have switched the final from Moscow to Wembley when they found out two English teams were contesting the final.
It would have been just a leisurely walk round the corner for most Utd fans!
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