Tifosi “Gruppo di Giorno Leale” in giro!

Heading to the tiny land-locked European microstate of San Marino for Northern Ireland’s World Cup Qualifier on Wednesday, the ‘Most Serene’ Republic will be anything but as 1,300 Northern Ireland fans arrive to cheer on Nigel Worthington’s side as they aim to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa 2010.

This trip will be particularly poignant for three members of the travelling support from Bangor, County Down. For Peter Vannucci, Treasurer of the Bangor Northern Ireland Supporters Club, and Castlereagh & North Down Northern Ireland Supporters Club members Davy Vannucci and Marc Vannucci, this trip will also signify a return to the home of their ancestors. Emanating from Cardoso, near Lucca, 300km due West of San Marino, the Vannucci’s settled in Northern Ireland in the early 20th Century. Whilst Peter and Davy have visited before, this will be Marc’s first visit to ‘the homeland.’

“Having travelled to nearly every away game since Wales 2004, it will be amazing to finally get the chance to properly visit two countries, Italy and San Marino in one trip,” said Marc. “We touched down briefly in Venice Marco Polo Airport in October for the Slovenia away game, but we have repeatedly missed drawing the World Champions in qualifying rounds. Fingers crossed we will meet them in South Africa next year!”

Even more significant about this trip will be the presence of San Marino Vice-Captain and second most-capped player Damiano Vannucci. Born 30 July 1977, the 31-year-old midfielder currently plays for A.C. Libertas, the oldest football club in San Marino. Fans may recall A.C. Libertas from the UEFA Cup preliminary phase in 2007/08 where they drew 1 – 1 at home, but lost 0 – 3 away and were eliminated by Drogheda United from the FAI League of Ireland.

Having missed out on the opportunity when San Marino were in Belfast last October, Marc hopes there will be a chance to meet namesake Damiano at some stage during this visit: “Damiano is not related (we don’t think), he is San Marinese, not Italian or Northern Irish, but who knows! Either way, there will be no divided loyalties once the teams take to the field as there is only one “Our Wee Country” even though we are playing an even wee’er one!”