Almost 4,000 fans made the journey to Switzerland to support the Women’s squad earlier this month at their first ever EUROs appearance, with many more supporting the various home and away games that happen throughout the year for all squads.
One fan from Barry is taking this support a step further.
John McAllister, 26, is already travelling to the next Cymru men’s squad game in Kazakhstan. The only issue? The European World Cup qualifier isn’t set to take place until September 4.
John McAllister is a die-hard Cymru football fan (Image: Supplied) John is forgoing traditional methods of travel for his trip and taking an entirely overland journey.
Overlanding refers to a mode of travel that takes globetrotters across the land using public transport and roads, rather than over it via plane, to reach their destination. It offers a more immersive experience allowing individuals to explore landscapes and interact with local communities, giving them a deeper understanding of the regions they are visiting.
John found himself inspired by the travel TV shows that many of us indulge in. He said: “there’s loads of shows like Race Against the World on and I thought that traveling like this seemed really interesting, rather than just catching a flight.”
John is making the journey alone, his travels beginning in Barry on July 28 as he departed the local train station and made his way to London. He will then make his way through France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, the Balkans, Turkey, and across the Caspian Sea toward Kazakhstan.
John has followed Cymru’s national team since his teenage years, after a group of friends began attending games at Cardiff City Stadium. His love for the squad has only grown since, allowing him to travel across the world to unassuming holiday destinations.
John’s journey started earlier this week in Barry and will take 5 weeks (Image: Supplied) He said: “I like that a couple of times a year I get to go to places that are dictated to me by a football fixtures table.
“By going to away games you’re forced to travel to places you would otherwise overlook.”
For John, this journey is more important than the final destination, as he ‘would have been going to the match anyway’. This unusual method of travel will allow him to travel more sustainably and see parts of the world he wouldn’t otherwise from the comfort of buses, trains, and even a cargo ship.
John will be documenting the journey on his YouTube channel @johnmactravels over the next 5 weeks before Cymru’s World Cup Qualifier in Kazakhstan on September 4.