FANS of footie minnows Harborough Town were stunned when more than 100 Spanish supporters joined them in the stands.
Two coachloads visited for the clash with St Ives Town in seventh tier Southern League Premier Division last Saturday.
Many wore the team’s yellow shirt and chanted in their own language in Market Harborough, Leics.
They were on a trip organised by YouTube channel La Media Inglesa, which covers British football for Spanish speakers.
Ilie Oleart, who founded the group in 2011, asked 440,000 subscribers which lower league team they’d like to see and they backed Harborough.
Earlier this season, the club reached the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in their 50-year history.
Ilie said: “I met people at the club in September to get to know their history, the town and the facilities.
“We thought they were the perfect club with the right values to share with our audience.
“It was the best trip we have had so far.”
The Espanyol supporter, from Barcelona, hopes to bring 300 fans next year.
After Harborough’s 2-1 defeat, players shared a beer with their new fans, who can stream future matches on YouTube.
The group has previously taken supporters to games at Brighton and Hove Albion, Sheffield United and Wycombe Wanderers.
Alvaro Sanz, from Madrid, added: “Some of the local fans were quite surprised, probably wondering what 100 Spaniards were doing there.
“We occupied a full stand and started cheering from the first second of the game.
“Quite a few local fans joined us, and we even taught them some chants in Spanish.”
Harborough chairman Pete Dougan also revealed the Bees will travel to Spain for a pre-season tour of Barcelona and Madrid in July.
He said: “It was a great day and the atmosphere they generated was superb.
“Our fans were singing in English then they sang back in Spanish. It was good fun.”
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