Hearts fan charts his journey from Australia to Hampden

Road to Hampden: Innes arrives at Edinburgh Airport.© Innes Thomson

One Hearts fan has photographed his journey to Hampden all the way from Australia.

Innes Thomson, 44, even managed to get the cabin crew on his 30 hour flight from Sydney to pose with his team’s scarf.

The lifelong fan has lived on the other side of the world for 12 years but could not miss the chance of seeing his team win the Scottish cup.

But as he is still looking for a ticket, Mr Thomson may end up watching the match at home with his Jambo father, Innes senior.

The 84-year-old, who brought up both his sons to support the club, is too ill to make it to Glasgow.

Innes senior said: "I was born 50 yards from Tynecastle. I’ve three brothers and all our family followed the Hearts. When I first heard Hearts made the final against the odds and Innes was on the phone saying he was coming to the game I was thrilled to bits."

The pair have supported the team together since Innes junior was a little boy, despite an early hiccup.

He said: "I came home from school one day and said I wanted to be a Hibs fan because a number of the local boys were Hibs fans but I was sent to my room and told to reconsider my loyalty. There was no choice in this family.

"I have seen them relegated; I have seen them win cups. I was there in 1998 with my Dad and I watched them on my own in a pub in Sydney when they won the 2006 cup. I decided for this one I would try and get back and watch it.

"I will practically do anything for a ticket. The original intent would have been to go with my Dad but his health means he can’t go so he will be watching it in the armchair with a can of beer. If I don’t get a ticket I’ll be here with him."

Neither father or son want to jinx the game by making a prediction, but Innes junior said: "I strongly suspect the cup will be going to the right part of Edinburgh."

Are you or your mates travelling far to the Cup final? Check out our [worldwide fan tracker here][2] and tell us about your own journey.

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IN DETAIL

*Look at Innes' gallery of his journey to Hampden

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