1000 FC Magdeburg fans travel to Bolton Wanderers for Monday afternoon friendly

Over 1000 fans of German 3rd Division side FC Magdeburg descended on The Macron to watch their team take on a Bolton Wanderers XI.

Much to their delight, Magdeburg beat David Lee’s side 3-2, but the match wasn’t the most exciting part of the day.

That accolade goes to the Magdeburg fans themselves. Having travelled 820 miles to get to Bolton, they certainly made the most of the day.

You wouldn’t think a mid-season friendly in January, when it’s absolutely freezing, would attract such a fanbase. Especially from a 3rd division German side.

But Magdeburg fans are special. Over 1000 were there, chanting for the entirety of the game, all with replica scarves and shirts.

Did it matter that it was a friendly to them? No.

The game itself was pretty good. Magdeburg raced an early just two minutes in, when Christian Beck (who has a higher rating than Gary Madine on FIFA) scored. Magdeburg were two ahead just under ten minutes into the game, as Christopher Handke buried the ball into the corner of the goal.

Julius Duker scored twenty minutes into the second half after a defensive mix up to put Magdeburg in a commanding position.

But Wanderers weren’t going to lie down.

Five minutes later, centre half Harry Brockbank scored a delightful free kick from distance.

Then, the Magdeburg fans put on a fantastic display, with an array of pyrotechnics lighting up the upper tier of the south stand for the last ten minutes of the game.

As the Macron was clouded by smoke, Wanderers would go on to grab a second with the last kick of the game.

Connor Hall, who made his Wanderers debut at the weekend, scored a last gasp penalty to make the score 2-3.

In what should have been a run of the mill mid season friendly, the fans of FC Magdeburg made it a game to remember.

I’m sure they’ll enjoy their night around Bolton town.

Hopefully, the club can arrange a pre-season friendly between the two sides in Germany.