After the Champions League match – gets an invitation to Stockholm • “I haven’t been able to stop smiling”
Ellie Green, 22, lives in Manchester and is a big United fan, but loves going to football regardless of which team is playing.
Recently, Ellie chose to attend a Manchester City match when the team played at the Joie Stadium in the Women’s Champions League. Even though it is about United’s biggest rival, she wanted to support women’s football in the city.
But then she was met with jeers from the City supporters. Several people reportedly pointed at her and laughed, and others mimicked the way she walks, due to her CP injury.
After the match, Ellie wrote about the incident on social media. By chance, a Hammarby supporter saw Ellie’s post and contacted her, with an invitation.
At that point, it was soon time for Hammarby to face Manchester City away in England, in the Women’s Champions League. Because Ellie was mocked by Manchester City’s own fans, she was welcomed to stand in the Hammarby heel instead.
Was invited to the Swedish heel – it happened later
TV4 Nyheterna has spoken to Simon Sandström, one of the supporters who was there to receive Ellie when it was time for the meeting between Hammarby and Manchester.
– She met us at our collective pub in Manchester. She got to come with us to the match and thought it was absolutely fantastic, says Simon Sandström.
He says that he and his fellow supporters wanted to show Ellie a different side of supporter culture than the bullying she had to endure on her home ground.
– You feel a little, haven’t we come further?
Pictures from the match show how Ellie stands smiling with the Hammarby scarf together with all the visiting Bajen fans. After the match, Ellie wrote on social media, translated into Swedish:
“An absolutely incredible evening with Hammarby supporters. What a class support. A big THANK YOU. Everyone so welcoming and even learn some Swedish along the way. Experiencing a different culture and a different fan base, I loved every minute.”
Now: Travel to see Hammarby in Stockholm
The story does not end at the match in Manchester. After her evening with the Swedish fans, a new thought arose.
– She said after the match that it would be a dream to go to Stockholm and watch a match at Hammarby’s home ground, if she could afford it, says Simon.
But the dream of the trip to Sweden became too expensive for Ellie. Then the Hammarby supporters stepped in and paid for the entire trip, after a post Simon posted on Facebook.
– It feels very nice to see that there are so many people who stand up for you to be welcome regardless. It is this love that is the true supporter culture.
Ellie: “Will be one of the best experiences of my life”
When Nyheterna talks to Ellie, she says that she herself was shocked and can hardly believe what happened. Just being able to accompany the Hammarby supporters to the match in her hometown made a big difference.
– I was sad and my self-confidence dropped after what happened with the fans here. But getting to hang out with the Hammarby fans was fantastic. They treated me like part of the family from the very beginning, and it was wonderful to be a part of, says Ellie, recounting:
– They sat with me, they had a drink with me, asked me questions about football and went with me to the stadium. I cried rivers that night, says Ellie.
Now Ellie is looking forward to going to Sweden next week, together with her brother.
– I haven’t been able to stop smiling since I found out it was going to end. I am forever grateful. I want them to know that they’ve made my whole week… they’ve made my whole year.
What are you most looking forward to?
– Just to be with them all again. I think it will be one of the best experiences of my entire life.
Hear more of what Ellie tells in the clip above.