Faraway fan is a wanted man!

4 Feb 2016 By David Watters

The NPL Group on Facebook are trying to track down a South American fan who travelled half way round the world to meet his heroes at the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's table-toppers.

Members of the social media group - more than 5,000 strong on Facebook and with more than 20,000 more followers on Twitter - are appealing for help to find Brazilian Lucas Martins after spotting him on BBC 5 Live's website.

A resident of Sao Paulo, the 21-year-old fell in love with the Premier Division club after choosing to play them on hit football video game Football Manager and was filmed by the BBC when he flew into the North East at the end of January to see Tom Wade's side beat promotion rivals Salford City 2-1.

Martins, who was given a tour of Croft Park to meet the club's players and officials, told the BBC: "I always played football manager and I needed a new challenge. It was just blind luck really that it turned out to be Blyth."

NPL Facebook founder Bradley Dobson said: "If anyone can find this young man's Facebook or Twitter handle, please get in touch! It'd be remarkable to hear from a South American NPLian!"

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Where next?

Next generation going on trial! The EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's ground-breaking league wide academy is launching a major recruitment campaign for next season over the half-term holidays.

Tuesday's Premier Division action review It was a big Tuesday night in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's top flight with Blyth Spartans' lead at the top of the table cut to five points by second-placed Workington AFC, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.