Dedicated Walsall fan to watch match from China

A die-hard football fan will watch his favourite team play in the dead of night while on business in China.

Neil Thacker, from Pelsall, has supported Walsall FC since 1979 and said being on the other side of the world would not stop him from watching them play.

The Saddlers will take on Chesterfield later in the League Two play-off semi final at Bescot Stadium.

But Mr Thacker told the BBC while he could not be there in person, he would be watching from his hotel room at 03:00 local time (20:00 BST).

Walsall have got a 2-0 aggregate lead after the first game against Chesterfield last weekend.

"I went to Birmingham Airport on Sunday. I managed to see the game before I went", he told BBC Radio WM.

Mr Thacker is currently in Shanghai, but will be waking up early to catch a flight to Hong Kong on Saturday, which means he will be waking up to watch the game at 02:30 and then has to be at the airport for 06:30.

"It's a travel day so I can sleep it off [on the plane]."

When asked to make a prediction for the game, he said he did not want to "jinx" anything, adding: "I'm just hoping we get through".

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