TWO American soccer followers have detailed their journey to Scotland after making the more-than 3,600-mile journey to the nation to observe the minnow soccer workforce they invested in.
Caledonian Braves Soccer Membership was established in 2019, previously present as Edusport Academy, offering younger French footballers the chance to mix the game with schooling in Scotland.
In a bid to achieve funding and provides again to followers, the Braves, based mostly in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, have now supplied punters the prospect to partially personal the tiny membership.
Gaining buyers from as far afield as Nepal and Brazil, the chance additionally proved notably fascinating for Jordan Presley and Andrew Stewart – two footie followers from North Carolina, USA.
In a daring transfer, the 2 new co-owners determined to jet throughout the Atlantic final week and into the streets of Motherwell to put eyes on simply what precisely they’d invested in.
Video begins with Andrew explaining: “This proper right here is the story of two People who purchased a wee fifth division soccer membership in Scotland and went to observe them play for the very first time.
“My title is Andrew and this man is my buddy Jordan.”
The video exhibits the pair touching down in Scotland amid cloudy skies and selecting up their rental automotive, earlier than setting out for these sightseeing.
Andrew continues: “We arrived in Glasgow, Scotland throughout what we have been advised was notably good climate, picked up our automotive and bought on the highway.
“I’m driving on the left facet of the highway, scared out of my thoughts.”
The pair then cease off at Celtic’s residence floor of Celtic Park, earlier than heading over to Rangers’ Ibrox stadium, however joke that they’re unbothered – being right here solely for the membership they invested in.
The duo then set off for Loch Lomond, the place their cease on the serene loch shores was duly interrupted by a screaming man clad in a Scottish soccer shirt and a kilt.
Andrew explains: “We headed again into Glasgow for dinner that night time as a result of tomorrow was match day.
“Immediately’s match was an away fixture so we have been off to Ed-n-bur, is that the way you say it?”
“About to go to Edinburgh, fairly simple, hop on the M8, takes about an hour or so.
“Upon arriving in Edinburgh, we discovered a pleasant little espresso store for coffees and meals, then we have been off to the match.”
The video then exhibits the pair lastly arriving on the away floor of Christie Gillies Park, the place the Braves can be going through Civil Service Strollers FC.
The 2 friends stroll by means of the automotive park and into the 1,569-capacity floor as they proceed documenting their day, stopping off to greet followers and gamers alike.
“Alright, we made it to the bottom, at present’s matchup is The Caledonian Braves versus the Civil Service Strollers, a membership that was based earlier than both World Conflict had occurred,” Andrew says.
“We arrived with loads of time to take a look at the pitch , say good luck to the lads and in addition to say hey to some native followers.”
The video noticed the pair going onto the pitch and fist bumping the gamers throughout their warm-ups and assembly native followers and canines within the stands.
“After testing the grounds within the stands, we discovered the place we wished to observe the match, there actually wasn’t a nasty seat in the home.”
The pair then left the stadium at half-time, choosing a chunk to eat at an area fish and chip store, earlier than washing the meals down with Scotland’s different nationwide drink.
Andrew continues: “We took benefit of the halftime break to get the total Scottish soccer expertise by visiting the native chippy – I apologise if I butchered that [pronunciation].
“However, we have been advised that we have to get fish and chips by just about everybody that we met.
“The chips have been simply a seven-and-a-half of ten, I’d say that the fish was in all probability pushing eight out of ten.
“We have been advised that we needed to wash all of it down with a nationwide fizzy beverage of Scotland, Irn-Bru.
“After round six or seven Irn-Brus over the course of our journey, Jordan proclaimed these to be a nine-and -a-half out of ten.
“I, alternatively am not going to say what I fee Irn-Bru, I’m afraid that they received’t let me again into Scotland.
“Our first ever soccer match in Scotland was undoubtedly a enjoyable one, it was a completely unbelievable expertise attending to see the workforce that we personal up shut and in-person.”
Disappointingly for the pair their facet misplaced 1-0 to the Civil Service Strollers final Tuesday.
Nevertheless, the 2 ended their go to to the Scottish vapital with a stroll up the Royal Mile to soak up the views from Edinburgh Fortress.
The video was posted by Caledonian Braves FC yesterday with the caption: “Two of our latest house owners made the journey all the best way from America to observe us play!
“They documented their complete expertise…”
The clip has since obtained over 61,000 likes and greater than 700 feedback from followers who launched playful jibes on the two People of their first journey to the nation.
One person wrote: “Little bit of unhealthy information for yous (sic) each…Loch Lomond isn’t the Highlands.”
One other commented: “Guess it is a factor now. Purchase soccer membership, make documentary.”
A 3rd mentioned: “Hope you loved Scotland lads. P.S. it’s pronounced Edin-bra.”
One other replied: “When was this filmed? You’re dressed for winter, that is our summer time, faucets aff climate.
A fifth added: “Insanity watching this from two People. That’s my space the place I grew up and that was my outdated native chippy. All the perfect and good luck together with your workforce.”
Talking at present Jordan Presley mentioned: “Andrew and I are soccer content material creators of many types – not simply the influencer form, however we attempt to educate, encourage and empower the following era of ballers.
“Chris – the founding father of the Braves had us come over to Scotland to shoot some content material for the Braves and to assist out their mission of turning into the primary crowdsourced owned membership in Scotland.
“Andrew and I assumed it was an superior alternative, not simply to seize decrease league soccer in Scotland for the membership but in addition for ourselves to journey and see Scotland.
“I really went and performed faculty soccer at Alma Faculty, a university in Michigan that’s based mostly round Scottish heritage.
“We might really stroll out to the pitch being led by our bagpipes, our kits had a tartan A and we’re referred to as the ‘Scots’. They maintain a Highlands Competition on campus yearly too.
“So moreover us having the chance to go to Scotland to create content material, I’ve had deeper roots to your stunning nation properly earlier than it & have at all times wished to go to.
“Plus having the ability to be part of the possession was a no brainer to me. It was in my roots earlier than I even knew of the chance.
“The journey itself was so superior. Although I’d been within the UK as soon as earlier than, my time was quick, so this was my first prolonged keep. I liked each second.
“The second we bought there and met up with the workforce and Chris Ewing (the proprietor), it was first robust to know what they have been saying nevertheless it was superior.
“You can inform there was a lot satisfaction of their soccer. Once we noticed the Braves play Civil, it was simply the best factor. The membership home, the little turnstyle to get into the park.
“The railings and the small supporters’ seats. It was the whole lot a lifelong soccer fan and participant wished to see. I used to be amazed to see that one thing like this existed and the tradition round it was so cool.
“Andrew and I attempted the whole lot we might, from a chippy to Irn-Bru. The one factor I want we had extra of was time!
“I do know we didn’t get to see the Highlands like what we wished however we tried our very best.
“One night time I wandered right into a pub that was taking part in nice reside music and it felt like I used to be in a film scene. The individuals have been so rattling good and pleasant.
“I actually can’t wait to get again and have all the explanations to now, so I can watch our workforce play. Excited to comply with alongside from afar, for now.
“It’s been so cool to see this pop off and skim all of the feedback (good and unhealthy).
“Andrew and I won’t be Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mcelhenney or Ted Lasso, however we’re proud American house owners of a Scottish membership and I believe its wonderful that anybody will be too.”
Additionally talking at present Andrew Stewart mentioned: “We wished to point out that POV of what different house owners like us from all over the world might expertise in the event that they purchased into the membership as properly and got here for a go to.
“I’ve been a soccer fan and participant my complete life. I performed in college over right here within the US too.
“Plus, I’ve at all times wished to go to Scotland as properly so the membership’s mission that they’re enterprise was tremendous intriguing to me.
“Based mostly on the viral response to this video, it looks like the Braves’ crowdsourced funding mannequin is intriguing to others as properly.”
Talking at present founder and CEO of Caledonian Braves FC, Christopher Ewing mentioned: “I really feel extraordinarily proud that soccer followers from all over the world are displaying an curiosity in our membership.
“As proprietor of Scotland’s youngest senior soccer membership, I welcome the chance to have the ability to share the membership with fan from throughout the globe.
“To have over 550 house owners from as far afield as Nepal, USA, Brazil and Singapore is completely wonderful. Scotland is a pleasant, enjoyable loving, passionate nation and I believe that that is mirrored within the mission.
“Many buyers up to now, have talked about their love of the sport of soccer and their admiration for Scotland as a rustic and that’s one thing which pleases me.
“We’re on a mission to offer soccer again to the followers and display that you don’t want to be a film star or a millionaire to personal a soccer membership.”
To date, Caledonian Braves Soccer Membership have raised $135,321 from 573 completely different buyers and at the moment sit in sixteenth place within the Scottish Lowland League.
In the event you’re all for partially proudly owning the membership, comply with this hyperlink: https://wefunder.com/cbfc
