Fan flies home on TEAM plane after solo away trip
A Strasbourg fan was given the journey of a lifetime as a reward for his away support
![Strasbourg's supporters holding up scarves and a flag attend the French L1 football match between RC Strasbourg Alsace and Toulouse FC at Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, eastern France on August 27, 2023.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RToGwxvRko9G6THefTUJ5g-320-80.jpg)
How would you like to travel back from a match with your team’s players? One young Strasbourg fan had that privilege after travelling alone by train to his side’s Ligue 1 game at Montpellier.
A near six-hour train journey might have felt a little lonely, but the 18-year-old was clearly committed to seeing Strasbourg’s first game of the new season. And his dedication was rewarded.
After the match, instead of making the long trip home by train, he was invited to fly back with the players by the club’s president Marc Keller. The fan, named by the club as Thomas, was pictured holding aloft a scarf in front of the private jet, clearly delighted at the turn of events.
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💙🤍 What a story 🥰Young fan Thomas, aged 18, went from Strasbourg to Montpellier (a six-hour journey) by himself to cheer us on yesterday. President Keller met the young man and offered him a ride back in the team's plane, making a memory that will last a lifetime! pic.twitter.com/NzcTqQHgjXAugust 19, 2024
Strasbourg will be aiming to keep their place in Ligue 1, having been in the top flight since the 2017-18 season. The Alsace club finished as high as sixth in 2021-22 but have dropped off in the two years since.
Last year, Chelsea bought a majority stake in Strasbourg, essentially making the Ligue 1 outfit a feeder club. That move proved a controversial one, though they could benefit on the pitch. Diego Moreira was signed for €2 million this summer and left-back Caleb Wiley joined on loan.
Strasbourg have also appointed Liam Rosenior as their new manager, after he left Hull in May. He replaced former Arsenal midfielder and ex-Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira, who departed in July.
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Teenager Thomas, after seeing his side draw with Montpellier and flying back in style, will hope Rosenior is the man to guide Strasbourg to a successful season.
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Callum is a football writer who has had work published by the likes of BBC Sport, the Independent, BT Sport and the Blizzard, amongst various others. A lifelong Wrexham fan, he is hoping Ryan Reynolds can lead his hometown club to the promised land.