It's half time for touring Shrimpers fan

1:49am Friday 4th January 2008

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IT'S certainly a game of two halves. And as the half-time whistle blows on a Shrimpers fan's football-themed fundraising tour of Argentina, all is going well.

David Oldbury, 38, flew to South America in November to watch 20 of the country's Primera Division football games in just 18 days.

David, of Parkstone Drive, Southend, is aiming to raise £2,500 for Opportunity Inter-national, a charity which provides business and finance training in developing countries.

So far, he has seen 14 matches at 13 different grounds over 12 match-playing days, many in intense heat.

The software engineer, who is used to the slightly less colourful environment of Roots Hall, has been wowed by the exuberant Argentinean crowds during his hectic schedule.

He said: "There were fireworks, water cannons and a flag that could cover an Olympic-size swimming pool.

"Not what one would normally expect to see at a football match, but this is Argentina and the players on the field are only one part of the spectacle.

"Prices for the league games are very cheap compared to the English Premiership - £8 for a seat or £2.50 in the terraces."

Among the exciting games he has caught, many while wearing his Blues shirt, are an international World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Bolivia, some crucial league games and the final of the Copa Sudamericana, the South American equivalent of the UEFA Cup.

He is spending more than three months in the South American country and will complete the challenge over six three-day weekends of football.

But he expects the second half of the tour to be more difficult than the first.

He said: "For the closing stage of the season, which begins in February, the travelling will be a lot tougher.

"My first target is to get to the four remaining Primera Division grounds in the three weekends available to me. Anything above that I'll consider a bonus."

He has raised about £1,900 so far and his employer, Lloyds TSB, has promised to match any money he raises.

To support David's fundraiser, click on the link below.