Superfan glee now wait over
THE start of any new season is always special.
But next weekend will be that little bit more special as fans once again pour through the gates and into some of the most famous grounds in world football.
For the ‘superfans’, who are as well-known as some of the players at what effectively serves as their second home, it will be an especially sweet moment.
Particularly as some won’t have experienced their staple matchday thrill since March 2020.
Peter Bolton, a Manchester United fan of over 50 years, who before the pandemic had missed just two matches at Old Trafford since 1974, can barely contain himself.
Such is his enthusiasm, he spent Friday night at Kidderminster watching United’s Under-23s.
Yesterday, he was at Old Trafford for the friendly against Everton.
Now he is counting the days until Leeds visit for the first time in a league game – in front of fans – since 2004.
Bolton said: “What a game to come back to!
“I think the return of fans will have a big impact on players, particularly at grounds like Old Trafford when you’ve got 70,000 people inside.
“There are now quite a few Premier League players who have never even played in front of a crowd before. A crazy thing to say, but true.
“I think the players will realise how lucky they are to play in front of the supporters.”
Gary Edwards, a Leeds fan who had missed just one match since 1968 before the enforced break, will be in the away end at Old Trafford on Saturday.
And even superfans of such bitter rivals will surely be united in one thing – August 14 can’t come soon enough!