Joe Ackroyd's fan club! His family came from England to support him
The club welcomed some very special visitors to the Drnovice stadium for the match against Viktoria Zizkov at the weekend. Joe Akroyd had his very own personal fan club in the stands when his family and friends flew over from England to support him and the team. They certainly weren’t disappointed as Joe and his teammates ran out winners against the Prague team.
A young footballer moving away from home faces many challenges and Joe moving to the Moravia is no different. "Of course I miss my friends and family, but I'm only here for three months. So I'm just focused on helping the team secure a good position in the league," Ackroyd said after scoring his first professional goal in the win over Varnsdorf two weeks ago.
His family and friends couldn’t be there for that special moment. However, the youngster on loan from Barnsley, didn't have to wait long to be reunited with his loved ones. The fantastic „Joe Akroyd“ fan club travelled over for the next home game. "The journey here is very simple – three hours to the airport in London from Yorkshire, two hours in the aircraft. Then the people from the club picked us up - a really fantastic service. You have great lads around here," Joe's father Steven Ackroyd complimented.
The main reason of course, came on Saturday morning. where Vyškov battled with Žižkov for key points in the table.The South Moravians took the lead with Lacik scoring in the 18th minute , to the delight of the English fans – but their joy was short-lived as Varnsdorf drew level with a goal form Vojtech Novak in 33rd minute.
Vyskov keen to keep up the good run of form, battled hard for the three points and in 86th minute they got their reward with an an own goal from Varnsdorf’s Soungole. It was no more than they deserved.
Immediately after the game Joe went to celebrate with his supporters and we hope new fans of Vyskov.
"We enjoyed the opportunity to watch Joe and the team perform in a difficult game.The three points were fantastic. It's a great experience for all of us to visit this place," Stephen Akroyd said after the game. In addition to his impressions of the game, Joe’s dad did have one further observation to make.
"Joe got his usual yellow card," Steven laughed about the 71st minute moment. However, he immediately added that he was happy with the 19-year-old talent "It was OK. Obviously he came to improve his game."
From an English perspective, he also appreciated the level of football played in the Czech second league. "It is good, honest football. There are a lot of hard-working players and physically strong players aswell. It's good to watch this type of football sometimes rather than the Premier League," Steven explained.
This is especially true when the fans don't lack for quality "snacks" on hand. "The night before the game we tried three or two beers. Today (the day of the game) it might be a bit more.
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Where the English group got their inspiration is clear. "Martin (Chalupecký, the club's managing director) recommended a few places to go last night. And we will try again tonight," Steven left no one in doubt about their plans.
And what about the sport? Vyškov has ten games left to play to the end of the season. "If promotion is achievable, then we hope be promoted. But perhaps it's little bit far away for this season at the moment," he analyzed the current league table where Jan Trousil‘s lie 8th in the table which should give them some breathing space in the coming weeks.
"I wish the club three points in every single game and for Joe to continue his education in football. To develop his physical side, get some more experience and improve his general character," concluded Steven Ackroyd. A happy father one might say.
