Peter Huszti is a passionate Hartlepool United fan from Hungary.

Last Saturday marked his journey to the Prestige Group Stadium as Pools took on York City in the Enterprise National League.

Peter’s journey took 12 hours from his home in Hungary to County Durham, and he documented his trip.

“I arrived in Hartlepool on Friday, after a long 12-hour journey from Hungary.

“I went to the stadium that day to acclimatise as soon as possible and to see the venue again, where the big event against York City would take place the next day.

“Then I arrived at the pitch on Saturday morning, where Vicki Burton, assistant manager of the Community Sports Foundation, was already waiting for me at the reception, who became my escort.

“In her company, I had the incredible opportunity to get a glimpse behind the scenes of what it is like to be a Hartlepool United player on match days.

“Among other things, I was able to step onto the pitch stand there for a while and experience the place up close, where the legendary players of the past played and the members of today’s squad will fight for victory.

“I was able to sit on the bench, be the team manager for about a minute, then walk through the players’ tunnel and enter the dressing room.

“I had an absolutely amazing meeting with the Gaffer himself, Mr Simon Grayson, who welcomed me very warmly and was very friendly.

“After a short conversation, I was able to enter the home dressing room.

“I have often imagined what this place must be like, where the heroes are preparing for the challenge ahead of them.

“I looked around quickly and sat down in my favourite player, Nathan Sheron’s place, to get a feel for what it would be like to be in his place.

“I walked around the dressing room with full immersion, recorded the moment, and although I would have liked to stay longer, I knew my time was limited.

“I then hung out with many sensational fans at the 1908 Club Bar, and had the opportunity to take a photo with H’Angus, and I also met Jamie Miley, Danny Johnson, Alex Reid and Vadaine Oliver before the match.

“And of course, I had the opportunity to take a photo with Maddy Hillyer, one of our Women’s team’s players, later on.

“It had been a fantastic series of events, but the tsunami of experiences was far from over.

“The long-awaited match began, and I stood for a long time on the Cyril Knowles Stand, admiring the stadium, the atmosphere our fans created, and the large number of York fans who had arrived.

“The whole atmosphere that reigned in the stadium was incredibly unique.

“I enjoyed the moment for a long time, I thought this it I am home.

“Then I finally watched the match that I came for.

“Unfortunately, the result was not in our favour, but the guys fought until the end.

“At the end of the match, another miracle awaited me.

“Returning to the Hart of Our Club 1908 bar, I suddenly found myself on the podium where the man of the match award is usually presented, and in this case, I was surprised with a gift, the home shirt worn by Greg Sloggett, who played for us last year.

“Believe me, it was difficult to put into words what I was thinking at that moment in time, especially being a Hungarian standing there in front of so many incredible HUFC fans scanning me.

“A simple ‘thank you very much’ does not express enough what that moment meant to me there.

“I immediately tried to make the moment memorable, and although I am no longer young, I am an experienced fan and a father of a boy, that sudden fantastic hospitality, welcoming, and many friendly handshakes of the fans just made me a little sentimental.

“As I said goodbye to the place on the way out, I was able to meet and exchange a few words with Captain Tom Parkes, Michael Dacosta Gonzalez, Besart Topallaj, and Jay Benn.

“After that, I made a quick visit to the equally impressive Corner Flag Bar, where, like in the 1908 Club, there are so many signed framed shirts and relics from legendary players, which I looked at with admiration and inspiration.

“Since the women’s team’s match on Sunday was unfortunately cancelled, I couldn’t watch it, so I didn’t have the opportunity to support them either, which I feel very sorry for. Maybe someday next time.

“On Monday morning, I walked one last lap around the stadium, remembering the unrepeatable events of Saturday, and so overall, after one of the truly unforgettable weekends of my life, I headed back home to Hungary, where I will continue to represent and promote Hartlepool United FC.”