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Stand Up & Be Counted: A Bee in Canada

27 July 2015

The Football League has enjoyed some remarkable tales of passion throughout the Stand Up & Be Counted campaign.

From Notts County's Italian Magpie following to Huddersfield Town's Malaysian fanatic, foreign-based supporters have been given a moment to savour by sharing their experiences of their clubs from afar.

This time, we caught up with Brentford fan James Fielder in Toronto, Canada, who tells the story of his love for the Griffin Park club.

"My late father was a Bees fan, so I went to games with him from the age of five onwards until his passing when I was 14," he said.

Gettin ready @ home 4the game w new manager! -20% in Toronto & snow storm coming! I will be listening 2 @BeesPlayer pic.twitter.com/JndRkFjJOP

— James Fielder (@FielderJames) December 14, 2013
"Then I went with my uncle and cousins who were also fans and it became my connection to my late Dad.

"Now, I live in Canada, but I am a regular listener to Bees Radio and follow them online all the time. I come back to the UK once a year or more and so I get a game in now and then. I was actually at the match at Griffin Park when they played Preston North End the season before last, when they got promoted to the Championship.

"I may be thousands of miles away, but it's easier to keep up with what is happening now compared to 20 years ago with internet. I listen live every Saturday and follow on TV when they are shown on there so it's a lot better now than past years."

Fielder still holds memories of his childhood days supporting the club dear to him, and will never forget the day he got to meet his heroes more than 35 years ago.

@beesplayer @LuisMelville set up at starbucks listening live after moving pic.twitter.com/6vmvNYB1UF

— James Fielder (@FielderJames) August 3, 2013
He is also optimistic for Brentford's season ahead, and expects them to repeat last season's good form which saw them reach the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs.

"I have two special memories from my time following Brentford," he added.

"The first is travelling with my father to Newport County to watch the Bees away and on the way back stopping at a service station to see the Brentford coach and get all the players' autographs during the 1970s.

"The second is coming over from Toronto to a Bees game on Good Friday to see them win promotion to the Championship and being interviewed on the Bees Radio the same day. What an atmosphere it was, truly wonderful.

"With regards to the current events going on at the club, I like that they have brought in new players with experience and a mixture of young up and upcoming talent. I think they will be contending for promotion again this season."




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