Distance does not cool the txuri-urdin heartbeat | OneFootball

In Melbourne, more than 17,000 kilometres from Gipuzkoa, Donostia-born Iñigo Villoch lives every Real Sociedad match as if in his Anoeta seat, a passion inherited from his father.

According to Diario Vasco, the Copa del Rey final in Seville was more than a trip, a chance to reach La Cartuja for a showpiece with fans four decades on.

His bond began at home. His father, Paco Villoch, was a Real member for over 50 years and owned Deportes Alzugaray, a historic sports shop under the Buen Pastor arches where players once came to fix kit.

When the shop closed after 100 years, its owners donated gear to the club’s museum at Anoeta, from 1950s leather balls to boots and kits. As thanks, the club waived the season-ticket fee.

As a child he was slipped into Atotxa, then at 13 he became a member at Gate 23 and later inherited the family seat.

Work took him abroad in 2008 and he paused his membership. He rejoined as soon as he could, and in January he saw Matarazzo’s debut against Atlético, 1-1, and the 2-1 win over Barcelona.

Following from Australia means awkward hours and few fellow txuri-urdin. For the final he will be up at 5.00 to watch.

Before sales opened he wrote to the club seeking only a chance to apply, not a free ticket. Receiving no reply, he then hit website errors that blocked his draw registration, and a friend’s late offer felt a step too far. He only wanted a reply.

With days to go he accepts he will not be at La Cartuja, and will back the team from afar. He is saddened, yet holds to his father’s lesson that Real is more than a club, a way to live.

Source: Diario Vasco