‘Leaving Sydney without a ticket for the game would have had me on edge, but now I can relax’
Jamie Reeson (centre) moved out to Australia about four years ago and says the thing he misses most about home is football.(Image: Jamie Reeson)
A Tigers fan living 10,000 miles away is on the ball after being gifted a ticket to see his team play in the Wembley Premier League playoffs.
We told last week how Jamie Reeson has been a lifelong fan of Hull City – even coming within touching distance of a professional football career at the youth academy. He’s missed seeing them play at the MKM stadium more than anything since moving to Australia four years ago.
When Hull City made it into the playoffs he immediately booked flights to get to the game – but was then sent into a panic because he couldn’t get a ticket. Regardless, he decided to plough on, booking a hotel in London while also planning to visit his parents in Market Weighton.
Now, however, lucky Jamie has secured tickets thanks to generous bosses at construction specialist MKM, sponsors of Hull’s home ground – and he couldn’t be more delighted. As we learned recently, Hull City will meet Middlesbrough in the epic clash to make it into the Premier League.
Jamie found out he’ll be able to walk along Wembley Way with thousands of other Tigers fans just hours before setting off on his mammoth journey home, having splashed out more than $2,500 on travel and accommodation for what could have been a ticketless trip.
Speaking from Sydney Airport, he said: “I’m over the moon to have secured a ticket without having to risk potentially missing out through general sale. Leaving Sydney without a ticket for the game would have had me on edge, but now I can relax and just look forward to it.
“It’s just a shame the excitement leading up to the game has been overshadowed a bit by the ‘Spygate’ incident. MKM put a tweet out trying to find me after the Hull Live article. I woke up to loads of messages and screenshots of the tweet.
“It was a really nice feeling knowing people were reaching out and trying to help me get hold of a ticket. Lots of friends and people I know also got in touch to say they’d ask around and see if anyone wasn’t going to be using their season ticket.
“I’m currently sat in Sydney Airport on Wednesday, and in just over 30 hours I’ll be arriving in Manchester on Thursday. I’ll definitely be catching up with friends for a handful of beers before the game!”
Jamie told last week how important seeing the playoff final has become to him. He came close to realising his own footballing dreams after playing for the club’s centre of excellence between the ages of eight and 16, but was happy to settle for being a passionate supporter with his dad when he failed to get a contract.
He now lives on Australia’s east coast, where he runs his own personal fitness business, having to watch live matches online, often in the middle of the night on Oz time.
He added: “I’ve gone to games all my life. And I’ve been to every Wembley game apart from the final. I’ve had a decent record so I don’t want to miss out this time simply because I’ve not been able to go to games while I’ve been out here.”
Nicola Ollett, marketing director at MKM, said: “We saw Jamie’s story and just thought, this is exactly what being a football fan is all about. To travel all the way from Australia to support your club, without even knowing if you’ll get a ticket, shows incredible loyalty and passion for Hull City.
“Hull is where MKM started. It’s our home turf and we’ve always had a strong connection with the club, the city and the people here. As a proud local business and sponsor of the stadium, we wanted to do something special and help make that trip complete for Jamie and his dad.
“Football creates memories that last forever and we’re delighted MKM could play a small part in this one.”
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