A Scartho-born fan of Grimsby Town makes sure to keep abreast of the Mariners' fortunes even though she now lives 12,000 miles away in New Zealand. While Laura Youdan (nee Shreeve) has been a supporter "as long as I can remember", her dad, North East Lincolnshire councillor Stan Shreeve, is a "mega-fan".
The family members have recently been celebrating Grimsby's victory over Manchester United, on penalties, in the Carabao Cup. Laura, because of the time difference and her work, had to be kept informed about the match via texts from family and friends and "watching the highlights as soon as I could".
Laura, 46, a former Toll Bar student from 1990 to 1997, said: "My dad would always take us to the games. I remember the standing days in the Pontoon and big favourites were the Boxing Day and New Year's Day games with hugs and handshakes among the friends in the stand.
"Whenever we come back to visit the UK, Dad always sorts the tickets - be it Blundell Park or further afield. My husband is from St Albans and we have two kids born in New Zealand.
"They love going to see Grimsby. We have a new footy team, Auckland FC, which they love going to see, as it's the closest thing to going to watch Town.
"It's a good chance to get my brother and sister and all the cousins back to Grimsby too when we are back in the UK. We also joke that we must have the New Zealand record for most Grimsby Town FC merchandise, with Dad regularly sending or delivering the latest drop when he visits us - we've had gnomes, dog bowls, wallets, puffa jackets, snow globes and, of course, a kit or two."
Laura has been living in Auckland since 2007, when she got the chance with work to spend a couple of years there and decided to stay. "New Zealand is an amazing place to live and work, but a long way from home - and everywhere else of course.
"We live in a gorgeous suburb called Mount Eden and our garden backs onto one of Auckland's 53 volcanos. I am lucky to work with a view of the Auckland harbour and enjoy lunchtime walks around the yachts and cafes."
Laura also takes part in her local Parkrun events and was attending one just after the momentous Manchester United clash. Laura, sporting her Mariners stripes, bumped into Darren, an Irish fan of Manchester United also living in New Zealand, and decided to let the Grimsby Telegraph know about the chance meeting.
She said: "There was some friendly banter and much congratulations from Darren. There were lots of nods and congrats from other locals, all in awe of the heroic win."
Laura said: "The game was incredible. It just shows what you can do when you stick to your game with your home fans behind you."
The mum, busy with day-to-day life, and again because of the big time difference, does not tend to see any televised Grimsby games. "Dad has me on the WhatsApp of his GTFC mates, so I get the updates during the games."
She said: "I will always love Grimsby and am so proud to be from there. I still miss the getting out and about to the shops and cafes and outdoor spaces and having so many things to do - I thought it was normal to have an ice rink and water slide and auditorium on your doorstep!
"I love walking along the prom and taking in the sea air and of course always make time when we visit for fish and chips and Lincolnshire sausages. With my dad being a local councillor I have a good connection to what is going on and am very proud that he can bring his experience from his long career to the town.
"My aunties and uncle also still live in the area - my Uncle Steve is also a big GTFC fan. And my best friend from school is local bowls legend, Amy Pharaoh."
Laura's 11-year-old daughter plays Rippa rugby, a non-contact form of rugby - "I'm still learning the rules" - and her 14-year-old son plays hockey. Laura said: "Auckland FC was a new footy team for 2024/5 (A-League Men Australia and NZ) and won the Premier's Plate in their inaugural season.
"We got to many of their games and a lot of the fans are English and brought the spirit to the stands. The fan end is called the Port and the fans wear fishing captain hats.
"It won't be long until they have inflatables, I'm sure," said Laura, a reference to the blow-up Harry Haddocks that fans wave to spur Grimsby players on.