Romans superfan, Kurt Broadfoot, will be in 7th heaven this afternoon as he will be watching his beloved Brading appear in not 1 but 2 cup finals at Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes.
First, Brading Town Reserves will be up against Testlands in the Hampshire Saturday Plate final. Then, Brading Town first team will play Shanklin in the much-anticipated all-Island final of the Hampshire FA Saturday Trophy.
Kurt, 50, first moved to the Isle of Wight from Hayling Island in 2010 after becoming romantically involved with a female fan of the now-defunct ice hockey team, IW Raiders.
Kurt attended his first Romans game at Vicarage Lane in March 2011 against Wessex League Brockenhurst, which Brading Town lost 1-2. Since then, he has been to 373 games (including reserves and ‘A’ team).
Kurt has only missed 2 Brading Town first-team games, home and away, in over 10 years. The last game he was unable to attend was against Cowes Sports at Westwood Park earlier this year, due to a Covid ban on spectators at enclosed grounds.
Kurt keeps a written record of every game he attends. His first away game was a Wessex League tie against Newport which ended in a 1-1 draw. The biggest win he has seen for Brading was 17-1 against Newchurch in a pre-season friendly in 2017.
3 years ago, Kurt had the team crest of his beloved Brading tattooed on his forearm at a cost of £350. He later had the words ‘Burfhino’ inscribed underneath in homage to his favourite player, Aaron Burford.
Kurt travels to Brading away games with 3 fellow Brading ultras—Keith, Frank and Ray—none of whom ever miss a game.
When asked why he chose the Romans as his favourite team on moving to the Island, Kurt said:
“They were just down the road from me in Ryde. I liked the look of Brading. They are a proper team with a proper ground.”
On being asked who Brading’s greatest rivals are, Kurt said:
“Whitecroft & Barton and Shanklin are our biggest rivals. But Newport are the team I really dislike.”
Kurt’s ambitions are:
“To put a few past Shanklin in the final on Saturday and to win Division 1 of the Isle of Wight League.”
Kurt has the following predictions for today’s finals:
“2-1 for Brading Town reserves against Testlands. 3-1 for Brading Town first team against Shanklin.”
Hampshire FA Plate Final; Brading Town Reserves v Testlands; Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes; 12.00 pm, Saturday, 5th June; Admittance: £4 adults £2 concessions.
Hampshire FA Trophy Final; Brading Town v Shanklin; Beatrice Avenue, East Cowes; 16.00 pm, Saturday, 5th June; Admittance: £4 adults £2 concessions.
A proper football fan,not a plastic glory hunter, good on you fella, I might just pop along my self,up the hammers! (And Romans!)