Harry and Rob Hufton who changed their holiday plans to make sure they see Grimsby Town take on Manchester United.
Harry and Rob Hufton who changed their holiday plans to make sure they see Grimsby Town take on Manchester United.
A football mad father and son have swapped their holiday plans, to make sure they don’t miss their beloved take on Manchester United. The Mariners last met the Red Devils in the old English Division One back in 1948, when both teams came away with a point in a 1-1 draw.
Now Grimsby Town is out to net itself a big fish when they . Yet after the fixture was set, Rob and Harry Hufton’s delight turned to dismay, when they realised they would be away in Spain on a family holiday.
Rob, his wife Emma, an accountant with Premier Training, their sons Freddie, eight, Harry, 14, and father-on-law Jim are booked in for a full week of all-inclusive sun, fun and luxury relaxation at a top hotel in Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands. But the lifelong fans and season ticket holders, of Stallingborough, said there was only one course of action to take – to stay behind and watch the match, and rearrange their vacation plans.
So they scrapped the original flights and booked another flight two days later — because nothing, not even the lure of a sunny beach, could come before this moment. Such drastic action might well be considered a red card offence in some families, yet Rob’s wife Emma actually suggested they change their plans, knowing full well the cup game will be a once-in-a-lifetime for the pair.
“We waved off my wife, my little boy and his grandfather this morning,” said Rob. “They’re all flying out from East Midlands Airport as planned, and we’ll just join them after the match.
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“Me and Harry absolutely love the Mariners. We’re season ticket holders so get to every home game we can get to, and away matches we can get to. Harry was about six when came to his first match and he’s 14 now so he’s come into his own - and he’s absolutely buzzing that we’re going to the match.
“From a child I’ve always supported Grimsby Town. I used to go to the games with my late father Colin who passed away last year.
“And I also supported Manchester United, but the question in the playground was always who would you want to win if they came together - and it was 100% Grimsby Town, it’s got to be. So when this fixture came up I nearby died, I thought ‘we’ll be on holiday, and I waited all my life for this’.
“I sat and thought how can I get around it. And it was my wife who suggested we just book another flight. In the end I went on Skyscanner and found flights for me and Harry. So we’ll miss two days of our holiday but it’ll be worth it.
“There’s four of us going - and it’s all we’re talking about in the build-up, we can’t wait. I’ve actually been dreaming about it too which is a bit crazy, I think I’m going to go see a shrink. I’ve been dreaming that I couldn’t see the score, and my mate’s been dreaming about it too.”
Jim Crockett, Emma Hufton and Freddie Hufton set off on their hols - Rob and Harry will join them after the match. (Image: Rob Hufton)
Harry, who goes to UTC Engineering college Scunthorpe, and Rob, an engineering planner, are daring to believe in a win for Grimsby Town too - as predicted by the cooked breakfast Rob made for the family over the
Rob added: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime for me. We’ll meet up early for some fish and chips at Pips Chips, then go to the game, and we’ve booked a lift to the airport at 2.45am the next morning so I won’t be going to bed after the match, especially after we’ve won!
“Let’s just hope we can get a result - even if we turn up and play well or score a goal, that will be a result for me. I want to see them get a goal, but a winning goal would be even better.
“I made breakfast yesterday and cracked two eggs into the pan, and the first was a double yoker and the second was a single yoker, so it has to be 2-1 Town.”