Norwegian fans’ hotel mix-up in Sunderland, Afghan veterans rescued as tickets rushed from Ayr | OneFootball

A hotel-name mix-up almost ruined a 2012 trip for Norwegian Sunderland fans, but a Roker guest house owner stepped in to save their day.

Four soldiers in their 20s, recently back from Afghanistan, arrived at Pam Tate’s Belmont Guest House in Roker to find they had booked a namesake in Ayr. According to Sunderland Echo, their tickets, about £270 each, had been posted to Scotland. Tate arranged a taxi from the west coast to fetch them, though it left the group more than £200 out of pocket.

One had been shot in the foot and was on crutches, and Tate even offered the use of her 87-year-old father’s wheelchair.

On the pitch, Sunderland lost 1-0 to Manchester United, Wayne Rooney scoring the only goal at the Stadium of Light.

Fans explained their bond with Wearside. Emil Heilborm, 23, was attending his first game after an invite from Jesper, a devoted supporter whose father became a fan after seeing Sunderland in London. Former midfielder Stefan Schwarz also lifted the club’s profile in Scandinavia.

Ove Høiland, from Stavanger, enjoyed the occasion and said he has visited about 10 times for matches and holidays, first following Sunderland through a family link.

Tate believed the connection endures because many Norwegians now in their 60s studied locally in their 20s, kept following Sunderland and later brought their sons, sometimes with wives, on trips.

Source: Sunderland Echo