Latics fanbase in Kazakhstan!

LATICS are hoping to establish a fan base in Kazakhstan, part of the former Soviet Union.

Supporter Neil Moorhouse will be spreading the word when he visits the country for England’s World Cup qualifier tomorrow.

Neil (33), will be visiting a school in Almaty, the largest city, and distributing shirts, which have been donated by the club, to children.

Neil said: “There are a group of us and when we go to countries such as Kazakhstan for England matches, we try to have a look at things off the beaten track.

“The British Embassy, Football Association and the local authority have arranged for us to visit a local school.”

Neil added it was suggested they ought to bring gifts for the children so he contacted Latics in the hope they might be able to provide some souvenirs.

Chief executive Alan Hardy has given 30 shirts, so each of the children in the class can have a keepsake, as well as several books about the club for the school library.

Neil added that squeezing 30 shirts and several books into his case means he is struggling to find room for his own clothing!

He is also one of several England fans who have been asked to lay a wreath at a war memorial in Pansilov Park as part of the 65th anniversary of D-Day on Saturday.

D-Day was a significant event for the Russians as it had a bearing on the siege of Moscow by the Germans.