UNITED. DELIVERED.: Die Hards Down Under

In Perth, Australia, one of the final stops on the UNITED. DELIVERED. Global Football Tour, a group of self-described “die-hard fans” get their chance to unite with United supporters all over the world.

Alvin Francis saw the competition to host a UNITED. DELIVERED. match as an opportunity to overcome what he describes as a challenge: Getting his buddies together to kick the ball around.

“I remember when we were kids we would play anytime/anywhere – rain or shine,” he says. “But these days as working adults it’s very hard to play or organize games, especially with family and work taking up most of our time.”

“When we were kids we would play anytime/anywhere – rain or shine.”

Alvin Francis

Organizing a UNITED. DELIVERED. match would make it a special occasion – it wouldn’t be just any game, and they wouldn’t be playing with just any ball.

WATCH: Global Tour Highlights April 2018

“I think it’ll be a treat for us,” he wrote in his entry. “I’m glad Manchester United is taking this initiative with DHL to unite players around the world.”

The small world
Alvin and his fellow United fans felt a deep sense of pride when they unpacked the kit and prepared for the match. It was an emotional moment, being connected with Manchester United fans around the world like never before.

“The unveiling of the kit was pretty awesome,” he says. “All of us were impressed by the quality, and you could see that DHL really made an effort to provide us with the best.”

“You could tell that the ball itself had some truly awesome stories to tell – if only it could talk!”

Alvin Francis

The ball itself was a highlight.

“You could tell that the ball itself had some truly awesome stories to tell – if only it could talk!”

But once the players took the field, and Team Yellow faced Team Red, it was game on! 

“Suddenly the world felt small and we had such a good time,” he says. “We talk about some of the squandered chances by the lads still today.”

What was the best part of the day?

“When Team Red beat Team Yellow, of course,” he says with a smile. “But just being a part of the UNITED. DELIVERED. Global Football Tour and organizing a match was truly an honor.” 

The luckiest man alive
Alvin has been a Manchester United fan for 22 years. The self-described “die hard United fan” started supporting the Red Devils during the 1996 FA Cup.

“Just being a part of the UNITED. DELIVERED.. Global Football Tour and organizing a match was truly an honor.”

 Alvin Francis

“My dad was a hardcore Liverpool fan, and I did it just to stick it to him,” he says. “Of course he was furious at this, but it’s still the best decision ever!”

At 18, he made a promise to himself to one day step foot in Old Trafford and watch his team play. The year was 2003, and he was watching one of his favorite squads, with Keane, Van Nistelrooy, Giggs, Scholes, and Forlan. In 2017, he made good on that promise.

“After 14 years in the making, I finally made the trip. We ended up drawing the match at 1-1, but I watched Rooney score his last home goal,” he says.

His eyes light up when talks about the possibility of going back to the Theatre of Dreams as a UNITED. DELIVERED. match host.

“I’d be the luckiest man alive! Watching my favorite club play on the most prestigious pitch on earth,” he says.

The tour
Though registration has closed and the UNITED. DELIVERED. Global Football Tour is coming to an end, you can still relive all the action and explore an interactive map with all the match locations. Just visit the UNITED. DELIVERED. page right here on DHL InMotion. 

Keep following us on Twitter @DHLManUtd and #DHLUnitedDelivered to find out which hosts have won and about their experience at Old Trafford!