Super-fan’s 570-mile round trip to watch Boro
HOW far would you go to support the Boro?
Well, this Middlesbrough man clocks up a 570-mile round trip every other weekend to watch his beloved team at home at the Riverside.
Matthew Gair, 23, grew up in Middlesbrough but moved to London three years ago when he started an engineering apprenticeship at Thames Water.
Despite enjoying life in the capital and getting stuck into his career, the devout footie fan and Boro season ticket holder makes the trip back home to Teesside to attend every home game possible - and follows them at away matches when he can too.
He took his seat on Saturday, September 14, to watch the team beat Reading 1-0.
“I am still a season ticket holder for Middlesbrough FC and have been for the past 20 years,” said Matthew, who grew up in Linthorpe and Nunthorpe.
“I still go home for the weekend to every home game possible and I get to the away games down here in the south when I can. Although I’m in London I feel a huge amount of pride to say that I’m from Middlesbrough.”
Matthew, a Boro fan since he was a tot and former Nunthorpe Academy pupil, started a fouryear apprenticeship in mechanical and electrical engineering with the water company which he is due to complete in May next year. He is guaranteed an engineering job with Thames Water once he’s qualified.
He spent his first year as an apprentice at Kingston College where he won the Apprentices’ Apprentice of the Year Award.
Explaining his move south, Matthew said: “In 2014 I was living in Middlesbrough with my family having finished college and decided to get myself an apprenticeship in the engineering industry.
“Two years passed and due to high demand and a lack of apprenticeship spaces, I still had not managed to secure a place. In 2016 I decided enough was enough and applied further afield and, within five months, I had secured my mechanical electrical apprenticeship with Thames Water in London.
“It has been great for helping me on a professional and personal level.
“My self-confidence, my life experience and my interpersonal skills are all qualities that have been enhanced as a result. I hope to keep developing my skills throughout the final year of my apprenticeship and beyond.
“My apprenticeship has broadened my horizons and opened up opportunities that I have never had before.”
Do you know a fan who travels further to support the Boro? Let us know! joanne.welford@ reachplc.com