A DILTON Marsh man took his love for the video game Football Manager to a whole new level when he decided to travel 1,098 miles to meet the players in the team he had managed virtually.
Jedd Cooley took over third division Italian side San Donato Tavarnelle and after months of leading San Donato Tavarnelle’s players to success in the virtual world, he decided to take his partner Lucy on holiday to visit them for real!
Jedd was warmly welcomed onto the pitch by the club’s president, and he met some of the players – including some that he had sold in the game!
“This all started as a competition between me and my friend, who is the best at Football Manager, and we agreed to find a team we have never heard off at the lowest level of the professional system,” said Jedd.
“I stumbled across San Donato Tavarnelle as it caught my eye that they had similar kits to Oxford United which is the team I support. I managed them for 15 seasons, and we managed to win everything we could – the natural next step for me was to catch a game and meet some of the players.
“This was my first time in Italy, and it was amazing. I kept my girlfriend happy with some sight-seeing but I was more excited for the football which didn’t disappoint. Meeting the players I managed in the game was quite funny to be honest, as some of the players I met I had actually sold in the game! It was even better meeting all the people that run the club and they knew all about my story of coming to England to watch them.”
Jedd says he is planning a trip to Italy again next season once the club has renovated their stadium. Dilton Marsh Wanderers FC have also announced that they will be playing a friendly game against San Donato Tavarnelle soon.
In a statement on the club’s Facebook page, the club said, “Cooley is a solid defender who joined us in 2021 from Somer Valley Sports. He is a great character to have around the squad and thanks to his video game obsession and his adventure to Tuscany, we have been invited to play a friendly against San Donato Tavarnelle at some point in the future. We may have to wait a few months, as Jedd and Lucy’s son is due in June.
“Jedd returned to England and was straight back to training wearing his Ubaldi shirt, as we look to push on in our remaining seven matches of the Trowbridge and District League.”
Jedd’s story has been picked up by local media in Italy and also by Sky Sports Italy.
