The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Andrzej giving World Cup fans history lesson
Kiltwearing Poland fan spreads word about Lichties’ finest hour
World Cup fans from all corners of the globe have been getting an unlikely history lesson in Arbroath Football Club’s greatest win.
Thanks to Andrzej Lorkowski, from the town, supporters from Australia, Iran, Mexico and Senegal are among those who now know a little more about the Lichties’ record-breaking 36-0 victory over Bon Accord in the Scottish Cup in 1885.
Mr Lorkowski, 41, is spending a fortnight in Russia to watch Poland’s group games and has created a buzz across the country after being given a treasured Scotland flag to take with him by Arbroath supporter Sye Webster.
Arbroath FC is delighted Mr Lorkowski is sharing the club’s story and wants to repay the favour and invite him to a Lichties game when he returns.
The flag – emblazoned with Arbroath FC 36-0 World Record Holders – will be taken to Kazan tomorrow by Mr Lorkowski for Poland’s make-or-break match against Columbia.
“I’m wearing my Poland shirt and my kilt while carrying the flag and so many fans have been stopping me to get a photo,” he said.
“They all want to speak to me and ask what the story is about the 36-0 and why a Poland fan is carrying a Scotland flag in Russia.
“I’ve been happy to give them a history lesson about Arbroath and the famous victory.”
The flag caused a buzz at Poland’s first game against Senegal in Moscow, a 2-1 defeat, and Mr Lorkowski hopes it brings his country more luck tomorrow.
Mr Lorkowski moved to Scotland 15 years ago and works as a machine assistant at Halliburton in Arbroath.
Arbroath FC chairman Mike Caird said: “The buzz that Andrzej has created by taking the AFC 36-0 flag to the World Cup has been brilliant for Arbroath FC and emphasises how football really does connect the world. Before kick-off on Tuesday we had British football supporters from inside the Spartak Stadium tweeting the club that they had seen an Arbroath flag at the World Cup.
“As Andrzej shares the story of our famous 36-0 win to football fans across Russia, we hope to repay the favour by inviting him to Gayfield upon his return.”
Arbroath East and Lunan Independent councillor Lois Speed hailed the “ambassadorial” role Mr Lorkowski has been playing in Russia.
She said: “I have absolutely no doubt he will continue to do Scotland – and especially Arbroath – proud during his time at the World Cup. I hope he’s having the time of his life.”
Scotland may not be represented at the World Cup, but that hasn’t stopped the odd saltire from appearing among the crowds as the greatest show on earth is staged in Russia.
Among them is Arbroath’s famed 36-0 standard, which pops up at events all over the globe.
The flag has certainly proved to be a talking point among fans — let us hope thousands more saltires are in evidence next time the World Cup comes around.