Father-Son Duo's Epic Journey from San Diego to Manchester for FA Cup Match

An American family's adventure to cheer on their beloved Exeter City in the FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester City

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:35am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football match between two teams, with the players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes, conveying the excitement and energy of the game.A father and son's cross-continental journey to witness their beloved Exeter City take on the might of Manchester City in the FA Cup third round.San Diego Today

George, a dedicated Exeter City fan from San Diego, California, and his 11-year-old son Charlie are making the extraordinary journey across the Atlantic to witness their team take on Manchester City in the FA Cup. Their 6,160-kilometer (3,830-mile) trip, which includes flights from San Diego to Chicago, Dublin, and finally Manchester, is a testament to their passion for the sport and the unique bond between a father and son.

Why it matters

The story highlights the global appeal of football and the power of family support. It also showcases the unique experiences and memories that can be created through a shared love of the sport, even for fans traveling from across the world to support their team.

The details

George and Charlie will be meeting up with friends who made the trip from Exeter to Manchester for a pre-match celebration. Charlie, a football enthusiast who plays defense at his local club, is thrilled and has even convinced some of his American friends to support Exeter City. The connection between Exeter City and George's home club, the Coronado Youth Soccer League, adds an interesting twist, as the head coach at Coronado used to be the academy director at Exeter City.

  • George and Charlie will be flying from San Diego to Chicago, then to Dublin, and finally to Manchester.
  • The FA Cup third-round tie between Exeter City and Manchester City will take place on April 12, 2026.

The players

George

A dedicated Exeter City fan originally from the city itself, who is making the journey from San Diego, California, to Manchester, England, to witness his team play in the FA Cup.

Charlie

George's 11-year-old son, who is accompanying his father on the epic journey to support Exeter City in the FA Cup match against Manchester City.

Simon Hayward

The head coach of the Coronado Youth Soccer League in San Diego, who used to be the academy director at Exeter City and spotted Charlie wearing an Exeter City shirt on his first day.

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What they’re saying

“We are enjoying having him out here in Coronado.”

— George

“We did it before in Manchester in 2004. Three of my friends went to that game so we're meeting up in Manchester again.”

— George

“We are enjoying having him out here in Coronado.”

— George

What’s next

The highly anticipated FA Cup third-round tie between Exeter City and Manchester City will take place on April 12, 2026, at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

The takeaway

This father-son duo's journey to the FA Cup is a heartwarming story that showcases the global appeal of football and the unique experiences that can be created through a shared love of the sport. It's a testament to the power of passion, family support, and the lasting memories that can be made through such extraordinary adventures.