Wire flash
SportsHansa Rostock's 7,000 fans impress Watford supporter, sparking call for return friendly in Rostock
Editorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Source reporting is collected, normalized, translated or condensed automatically when needed.
- Automatically published source-backed update
Following Hansa Rostock's 0-3 friendly loss to English second-division side Watford FC, a Watford fan named Jack—father of goalkeeper Alfie Marriott—was so impressed by the atmosphere created by 7,000 traveling Hansa supporters at Vicarage Road that he is now advocating for a return match in Rostock, Germany. Jack, a 42-year Watford veteran, described the volume and passion of the Rostock fans as the most breathtaking he has ever experienced. He plans to contact Watford to arrange a future friendly in Rostock, and if that fails, he will travel alone to the Baltic Sea city to attend a third-division Hansa match. The result of the friendly has become secondary to the memorable fan experience.
Source report
He came as a Watford fan – and went home with a special wish. After Hansa Rostock's 0-3 loss to English second-division side Watford FC, Jack suddenly stops talking about the result. Instead, he is planning a trip to the Baltic Sea – and even advocates for a return match. "We will come to Rostock," he says.
"Never Experienced in 42 Years"
Jack is the father of Watford goalkeeper Alfie Marriott. For him, the friendly match was special in several ways. On one hand, his son was substituted in 15 minutes before the final whistle. On the other hand, Jack experienced an atmosphere that completely surprised him.
"I have never experienced anything like this in 42 years at Watford," he says about the Hansa fans.
Above all, the volume and passion of the Rostock fans left an impression. "The atmosphere, the volume – that was the most breathtaking thing I have ever experienced."
Source: BILD / X: @LeePartridge16 & @thewatfordway / YouTube: Watford FC, 26.07.2026
Now He Is Drawn to the Baltic Sea
The impressions from Vicarage Road Stadium linger. Jack reveals that he is already planning a trip to Rostock: "We can't miss that." There, he wants to experience the atmosphere himself at the Ostseestadion with his buddies.
For Jack, it is clear: This friendly match should not be the end of the story. His wish is a reunion on the Baltic Sea.
"We will contact our club. Hopefully, they will make the next friendly match in Germany possible." The Englishman wants to convince Watford of a return match in Rostock – so that the fans of both clubs can meet again.
He Will Come Even Without Watford
If there is no official reunion, that won't stop Jack from his trip.
Then he would make the journey to the Baltic Sea alone – even for a third-division match of Hansa. The result of the friendly has long since faded into the background for him. What remains are the memories of an extraordinary football afternoon – and the hope for a continuation.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
Part of this Story
7,000 Hansa Rostock Fans Outnumber Home Supporters at Watford Friendly