Long distance support wows fans!

Former RAF man Mark Buckton and his wife Ching Yeh left their home in Taiwan on Monday to return to the UK to see Whitchurch Alport host the Robins on Saturday after agreeing to sponsor the friendly at the North West Counties League club's Yockings Park.

The sports writer and educator didn't didn't get off to the best of starts on the first leg of his 14,000 kilometer trek from Taipei to Kuala Lumpur, posting his first pix on Twitter from the ground as the couple suffered a 90 minute delay!

The long-distance mission to see Phil Parkinson's side run out in their first friendly ahead of the 2017-18 top flight campaign was hailed by fans and clubs across the Non-League pyramid on Monday, @Matlock_TownFC tweeting: "Fair play @MarkBuckton1970, safe travels sir!"

@altrinchamfc, who are planning to keep fans updated on their progress, tweeted: "Thought Eastbourne was a long trek? @MarkBuckton1970 is travelling 14,000 miles from Taiwan for our first PSF away at @alportfc #AltyAway."

After Buckton took off to post a picture of the sunset over Vietnam, the Robins added: "Let's hope we're flying equally high throughout the season!"

For more information on the new supporters' liaison officer role at the J Davidson Stadium, a UEFA initiative designed to ensure that fans have a dedicated point of contact, visit www.altrinchamfc.co.uk. The deadline for applications is Saturday July 22.

Images courtesy of @MarkBuckton1970 & @altrinchamfc

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