Support från England: 310DIF samlade in pengar åt Liam

Förra veckan presenterade vi initiativet 310DIF där ett gäng supportrar bestämt sig för att varje match fylla sektion 310 till bristningsgränsen med mottot "inga tomma stolar". Efter att ha snappat upp att engelsmannen Liam 19, från Birkenhead inte hade möjlighet att ta sig till premiären den långa vägen från England så startade 310DIF en insamling eftersom de gett sig den på att fylla sektionen.

Under gårdagen gick vi ut med att det inte längre finns några lösbiljetter kvar på sektionerna i Slakthuskurvan så var det en välvillig själ som gav bort sin biljett då han tyvärr inte kan gå på den omtalade premiären den 5 april. Insamlingen har nu lett till att Liam kan betala flygbiljett och hotell i Stockholm så att han får uppleva premiären. Här kommer en intervju om varför engelsmannen Liam blev djurgårdare och vad han förväntar sig av premiären.

Namn: Liam Ålder: 19 Bor: Birkenhead (over the river from Liverpool)

The Djurgården Family and Sektion 310  in partichave collected money so you can come visit Stockholm the 5th of april when DIF play against Elfsborg. What do you think of that?

- Reflecting on it now - after initially being speechless with shock - it's a gesture that comes with the reputation that precedes the Djurgårdsfamiljen, a family of football supporters who look after their own as one big hearty collective. And that's through extreme highs, and extreme lows, as we seen with the great help Stefan's family received. So a massive thanks to anyone who contributed towards my surprise trip, I'd go as far as saying it's one of the best things that's happened to me!

How come you started to support DIF?

 - I first come across Djurgården when a team nearby me, FC United of Manchester, played a friendly game versus an All Star DIF XI in 2009. Being curious of Scandinavian football in general, I just had a look at the picture report from the match. The first thing that struck me was the unique yellow-red-blue shield, the famous stripes and the sheer beauty of Stockholms Stadion. It was only in late 2013 when I really started following scores again and became fascinated by the supporter scene, mainly Sofialäktaren and of course Ultra Caos Stockholm. Since then I discovered an even stranger link that suggests maybe myself and Djurgården where meant to be. Gary Williams, who had two spells at Djurgården in the late 1970s and mid 1980s, was born in my hometown and played for my English team Tranmere Rovers, added to that he was coached by my grandad at junior level whilst playing alongside my dad.

Why DIF, what makes us special?

- I feel as though the list is endless. Especially when I first looked at it in a Stockholm context, AIK instantly came across to me as brash, aggressive and trying too hard to force an identity - the whole 'AIK v. Not AIK - We Are Not You' campaign exemplifies that. And Bajen...well, Bajen are Bajen. Djurgården on the other hand, as one of our banners says, have 'stil och klass'. A style and class that is natural, it speaks for itself.

Your thoughts on the previous games you been to?

- The only previous game I have been to was the away derby last season, a game that due to travel arrangements I had to go to on zero hours sleep, straight from my part-time job. But it was totally worth it. I met up with a few guys that had sorted my ticket, as well as a friend Ben who wrote about the game on his website 'Supporters Not Customers'. From enjoying beers in Vasaparken with all the other DIF fans, to singing 'if you don't bounce your AIK' on the bus to Solna, it was probably the best football experience I've ever had.

Any favorite player in DIF?

It was Daniel Amartey until he left for FC Plastic, but now I'd say it would have to be Emil Bergström.

Do you plan to go to more games this season?

I'm already booked for AIK at home, but I'm also planning to go Helsingborg away as well as the second derby game versus Bajen. Ideally Djurgården will qualify for the Europa League, then get a qualifier draw versus a North Wales team so I can have a DIF awayday on the train next season!

Whats your team in England? Tell us about them:

I support Tranmere Rovers, currently playing in the fourth division flirting with relegation; which would put an end to our 94 year history of being in the Football League. We struggle to pull in supporters, because most in the region are Liverpool or Everton, but that only makes us even prouder to support our local team.

Expectations for the trip and the game against Elfsborg:

The hype for the game on Twitter etc has been immense, so I'm hoping it can be an atmosphere that sends shockwaves across the city, ensuring that more local people do actually continue to come back and contribute to this beautiful football club - as it thoroughly deserves it. I'm delighted to be attending my first home game, once Djurgården has touched you nothing is the same again, I'm sure many will agree!

Gör som Liam, gå på premiären söndagen den 5 april. Klicka på knappen nedan och köp biljett.