Joel Veltman was a relieved man on Tuesday after he finally got his GPS tracker back, having lost it during the celebrations at Nottingham Forest after our fantastic 3-2 win.
The Dutchman threw his shirt into the travelling supporters but it wasn’t until he was back in the dressing room that he realised he’d launched his GPS too.
“I was so happy, I just threw my shirt to thank the fans for travelling and then I didn't have a clue what happened," Joel said.
“I went back into the dressing room and then Sophie [Grimson] from the performance team said, “Where’s your GPS?” and I replied, “I don't know. Probably in the stand!”
“So I was walking with her to the stand and I said to the fans “I don't want the shirt - please keep it, but I need the GPS!” But the fans didn't have a clue. They were singing, “Joel wants his shirt back!”
Fortunately for Joel, landlord Patrick Matthews – who runs The New Oak in Hollingbury – came to his rescue.
“At the end of the game everyone was going a bit mad because of the result,” Patrick said after coming to the Amex Elite Football Performance Centre to return the GPS and meet Joel. “Then Joel came running over, threw his shirt and it was a slow motion moment!
“I’ve caught it, put it in my pocket and carried on clapping for a bit. We got back on the train to King’s Cross and then I went for a curry, checked my phone and saw a load of notifications on Twitter and the GPS was the story! I looked in my pocket and found it wrapped up in the shirt, so I messaged the club straight away.
“Joel probably got a little bit of a telling off for not having it after the game! But what a great player, an absolute legend and it was nice to meet him.”
Patrick not only took home the shirt he caught in the stand on Saturday but Joel gave him another signed shirt as a thank you which will be auctioned to raise money for a good cause.
“One of our locals died from Parkinson’s disease, so we will auction the shirt off that Joel gave me for a Parkinson’s charity and hopefully raise a few quid for that. I'll hang up the other one in the pub.”