Football fans are used to suffering. Some even take it upon themselves to change continent to attend a game of their favorite club. A game that doesn’t even start. This is what the Texan Ken Saxton experiences. And still looks back on a great day.
Snow, snow and more snow: These pictures from the Burnley FC stadium also surprised the Premier League on Sunday. It snowed in the north of England and not too close. The weather was so capricious that the game against Tottenham Hotspur had to be canceled at short notice. “Due to problems with the field of play, the game cannot be played safely,” tweeted the hosts – when the team line-ups were already published.
The last-minute cancellation didn’t help the fans who wanted to watch the game in the stadium, of course. They were already there. Both teams had also prepared, which initially caused frustration for Spurs coach Antonio Conte. But then he said of the short-term cancellation: “There is a high risk of injury, and that is not a good thing.”
Annoying for the home fans, annoying for the guest fans, because the journey from London takes more than four hours. Most annoying but for very special Tottenham fans: Ken and Brandi Saxton. The two Tottenham supporters had a significantly longer journey. They were on the road for 31 hours to watch the game on Turf Moor. 31 hours without sleep, driven only by coffee, cheese crackers and more coffee, as Ken Saxton writes on Twitter. The couple traveled to the United States from Dallas, Texas. “Freezing temperatures and snow are forecast for matchday. The things you do when you love your club.” He wrote that on Saturday evening, he didn’t yet know how bad it would be on Sunday.
Thanks to Twitter, he took his followers on the trip to Burnley. To where Tottenham Hotspur should win badly needed points. After all, things are not going well this season either. From twelve games there are only six wins, only seventh in the table, even behind Wolverhampton Wanderers and currently no qualification for the European competition. Points are urgently needed, as the game at Burnley FC, who are relegated to the game, would be just right.
The game day began for the Saxtons with a football idyll. Strolling through Burnley past a lawn with two gates. When they got to the stadium, it was already snowing. And it got more intense, the field was quickly white, the helpers couldn’t shovel away the snow. Cancellation. No football. While the Brazilian Lucas Moura was still practicing snowball throwing and then complaining about the cold on Twitter, the Saxtons and friends moved on. Going to a pub with cold alcoholic beverages and food. After the game was canceled, Ken Saxton received plenty of encouragement but didn’t want to be regretted. “I appreciate all the love, but make no mistake. Hanging out with buddies, THAT is what football is all about.”
And then there was another big surprise for the Saxtons. Tottenham striker Harry Kane has been made aware of their trip to Burnley. He tweeted his regrets and said: “As a thank you for your commitment and as compensation for the cancellation of the game, I would like to invite you to a home game the next time you’re in London.” Ken Saxton was a little overwhelmed by this offer: “Thank you, Harry, it is not necessary at all, but we are very happy to take your offer up. Thank you, and thanks to all Spurs (and other football fans) who have volunteered . Fantastic, really. ” 31 hours of travel were worth it even without football.