Meet The Scotsman Who Made Up The Entire Atalanta Support in Naples

How does a 36-year-old from Edinburgh end up the only away supporter inside one of Italy’s most iconic stadiums? 

It’s a question that has been on the lips of football fans across the globe this week after the incredible photos of Steven Faughnan appeared on social media, the solitary member of Atalanta’s away following as they steamrolled Napoli on Sunday afternoon. 

Pictures on Serie A’s international stream first caught the attention after Mateo Retegui put the gloss on a 3-0 victory in stoppage time, with cameras panning to an away end boasting just one solitary figure.

Steven then posted photos of his surreal outing on social media – the custom Atalanta flag complete with Scottish saltire giving away his roots.

He was invited onto the BBC where he told his incredible story on Radio 5 Live. Speaking to presenter Chris Warburton, he explained: “I showed up at the stadium. I didn’t know where I was going. They had the away bit all blocked off with fences. I said, I’m not going to get in here, am I?

“So I went up to a random steward. My Italian is poor at best. I did manage to explain and he seemed shocked. He didn’t know what was going on. So he went and spoke to a few police officers. They were checking my ID. Then eventually one of them just said, ‘follow me’ and took me up to the gate. I got a wee pat down and I went in.

“There were two stewards when I first came in that just stayed on the stairs down in the kiosk area for the full game. And then there were three stewards that just stood directly in front of me the whole game. I don’t know what they thought I might have been doing, but they were prepared.

“I celebrated, I shouted. I don’t think anyone heard me, but I did try my best. I did clock myself on the big screen for a second. I was like, I better watch what I’m doing. Maybe They didn’t want to put me on the screen for my own safety.

“[At full-time] I got led out by a police officer, and he says ‘your backstory, you’re here to watch McTominay and Gilmour play for Napoli, if anyone asks’.”

In truth, it would perhaps make more sense for a father of one from Scotland’s central belt to be checking up on his fellow countrymen and their Serie A journeys. But Steven, who lives with partner Lauren and their five-year-old son Charlie, has links with Atalanta that run deep after a chance meeting at a match in his home country eight years ago.

“I became interested in Atalanta around 2016 when a small group of Atalanta fans came and stood with me and my friends at a Hibernian game,” he told Destination Calcio. 

“I then got in touch with one of the lads when me and Lauren were going on holiday in Milan. He managed to help us get tickets for the game against Roma on the opening day of the 2017 season.

“That was us hooked. We loved the city, the people, the football and the amazing atmosphere in and around the stadium. I’ve been to around 24 Atalanta games since then. Met so many nice people who are always so helpful.”

Despite labelling the experience of being the only away supporter inside the Diego Maradona stadium “amazing”, he admits he was disappointed for lifelong La Dealing followers who were unable to attend what was a statement win against Antonio Conte’s table toppers.

Italy’s Ministry of the Interior had labelled the game at risk of public disorder, resulting in people from Bergamo unable to apply for tickets for the fixture.

“I had this week booked off from work for the last six months with the intention of going to any games that Atalanta were playing. 

“I knew it might be difficult to get a ticket for Napoli given the previous restrictions but thought I would travel over anyway. I got lucky. I was able to buy a ticket and was treated to a wonderful Atalanta performance. It’s just sad that lifelong fans from Bergamo could not experience it live.”

While he had to go it alone in Naples, Steven will be back among supporters this weekend when he attends the Udinese clash at the Gewiss stadium on Sunday morning.

A return to Bergamo also gives him another excuse to visit his favourite part of the country.

“Bergamo is definitely my favourite [city] but I’d have to say I was a massive fan of Lecce when I went there. Amazing food and such a nice old city to walk around.

“You never get a bad pizza or wine in Italy. Lauren and me love going into restaurants, getting a pizza each and sharing a ‘vino della casa Bianco’ because even the house wine is amazing.

“Edinburgh airport has lots of direct flights to Italy and you can usually find some good deals.”