Far Flung Fans

Name 

John Jofre

Occupation  

Asia Pacific President of Synventive Molding Systems.

Where do you presently live?  

For the past two years in Manila, 15 years in Shanghai before that.

Which SFL team do you support?  

Ayr United

How long have you supported Ayr United?  

Since 1972

Why did you choose to support Ayr United? 

When I was 7-years-old, I supported Celtic, as they were winning everything. As soon as my grandfather saw me wearing a Celtic kit, he took me to Somerset Park immediately.  My first game was a reserve match versus East Fife, then a first team game against Falkirk which finished in a 1-1 draw.

When was the last time you saw Ayr United play?  

Scottish Cup tie versus Kilmarnock last season when we snatched a 2-2 draw in the last minute.  I am back next week on vacation so hope to take my 2-year-old son to his first Ayr game…either Alloa Athletic or East Fife away.

UPDATE – went to the Alloa game – lets not talk about it

Who is your favourite all time Ayr United player? 

Johnny Doyle

What is your favourite game? 

Beating Rangers 3-0 at Somerset Park in October 1975.

Are there any other SFL supporters nearby? 

There are a couple of Airdrie supporters in Manila!!

What are your hopes for the season?

Although not a clever start to the season, I am hopeful of a Play Off spot.

What message do you have for Brian Reid and other Ayr United fans? 

To Brian, keep trying to play football on the deck….let’s play our way up this division.

To the supporters, keep getting behind the players at the game, no matter how bad they play at times, and lay off the youngsters!

What is the favourite other ground you have visited in Scotland? 

Ibrox is the best stadium, although you get a better atmosphere at Celtic Park.

What team do you support in the Philippines?

None, as the football here is not very clever.  So I am forced to watch the English Premier League each Saturday night and that has led me to back Everton.  But I am on my Blackberry every minute checking the Ayr score!

In Shanghai, I use to go and watch Shanghai Shenhua.

Can you get IRN-BRU in the Philippines?

No, but I used to be able to get it in Shanghai when I lived there. The shop would maybe only get a couple of cases in a month, so I would buy the lot when I could!

Have you watched sfl.tv yet?

It has been my only way to catch some of the few goals Ayr have managed to score!!

Name

David McLauchlan

Occupation

Building Services Engineer

Where do you presently live?

Culver City, Los Angeles, California

Which SFL team do you support?

Queen’s Park

How long have you supported Queen’s Park?

Since 1994 although I did attend a few games prior to this. 

Why did you choose to support Queen’s Park?

They’re my local team and during the early part of 1994 when I was unemployed, I decided to rekindle my interest in Queen’s Park and took a trip to Hampden one cold January night to watch them play Morton in the Scottish Cup.  I’ve been hooked ever since!

When was the last time you saw them play?

27^th March, 2010 against Livingston at Hampden.  I flew out to LA a couple of weeks later.  Unfortunately, Livi beat us 1-0.

Who is your favourite all time Queen’s Park player?

Ross Caven.  Mainly because he could play anywhere and of his commitment towards the club.

What is your favourite game?

Oh!  Good question!  There’s been several good games…..winning the Third Division at Cowdenbeath, the Challenge Cup Semi-Final against Brechin City even although we lost 4-3, beating Aberdeen in a penalty shoot-out in the League Cup but I suppose the Play-Off Final against East Fife a few seasons ago.  The quality of football we played, especially the first leg at Firhill, was a joy to watch.

Are there any other SFL supporters nearby?

Does my son count?

How do you keep in touch with Queen’s Park fans?

The Spiders fans’ forum www.spiderstalk.com although I tend to be more of a casual observer.

What are your hopes for the new season?

The season started so well with a good win over Livingston but we seem to have hit a sticky patch.  A Play-Off place is still achievable so I would settle for that at the moment.

What message do you have for Gardner Speirs and other Queen’s Park fans?

Hang in there.  We had a similar slow start last season and still made the Play-Offs.

What is the favourite other ground you have visited in the SFL?

I like most of the grounds in the lower divisions Links Park, Montrose was always a good day out. 

What team do you support in Los Angeles?

That’ll be LA Galaxy.  I haven’t seen them in action yet but I’m planning on attending their game against New York Red Bulls on 24^th September.  That way I’ll get to see both David Beckham and Thierry Henry

How does football compare?

My 4-year-old son keeps reminding me it’s called soccer in LA……I’ve heard the Galaxy fans are quite vocal.

What do you think of sfl.tv?

It’s good!  I already knew about QPTV but it’s good to see all of the other games.

Can you get IRN-BRU in Los Angeles?

So far, I’ve only found two places that sell IRN-BRU in Los Angeles.  Firstly, The Scottish Shop onboard The Queen Mary in Long Beach and secondly, there is a British theme pub/shop in Santa Monica which sells IRN-BRU for less than two dollars.  I must admit though, it doesn’t taste the same!