Galway Independent: United honour fan who travels from Japan for matches in Terryland
Galway United have honoured a loyal fan for whom every home match is a journey of 5,000 miles. Maiko Higashino (33) follows United from her home in Tokyo, Japan, and she has been hooked on the club since she first saw them play St Patrick's Athletic in 2000. "I love the city of Galway, and Galway United. I first watched soccer in 1998 when Manchester United came to Japan to play a match, and I heard that Roy Keane, the Manchester United captain at the time, was Irish," said Maiko, who lived in Galway in the 1990s when she was learning the English language. This week, United presented Maiko with a club jersey signed by all the players, and a Claddagh Ring. "I am wearing the ring facing out because I am in love - I am in love with Galway and Galway United," she said...Maiko travels to at least one Galway match a season...[she] works in real estate in Tokyo and keeps track of United news on the internet and through contacts with fellow supporters. "I was delighted with the presentation the club made me," she said.
