THE YEAR is 1993 and the UEFA Cup Final is being played over two legs.

Your club, German outfit Borussia Dortmund, has been beaten 3-1 at home in the first leg, and it is unrealistic to think they can overturn the deficit against Italian giants Juventus at the Stadio Delle Alpi two weeks later.

You’re passionate about the club, but with work, family and other commitments, you’re unsure whether you’re passionate enough to take the long bus trip to Turin. Alas, you aboard the south bound bus, only to see your team lose 3-0 away and 6-1 on aggregate.

This is the story of Carsten Gerke, the father of a friend of mine who is a devout Borussia Dortmund fan. Throughout the 90s, Carsten traversed Europe following the black and yellows. Via his broken English, he tells me these were the best days of his life and that the dollars and hours he spent criss-crossing the continent pale into insignificance when compared to the memories he gained.

For Newcastle Jets followers, the time has arrived when some devotees will begin to toss up the opportunity to travel to Asia next year. There are obvious advantages to such a voyage, but there are numerous difficulties most fans will have to face. Number one on that list is money. The global economic crisis combined with our weakened dollar means the cost to travel has risen, possibly putting some people off.

For those still interested, I’ve taken the liberty to create a rough hypothetical travel itinerary/budget to the definite destination of Japan. The hypothetical match up is against the not so hypothetical J-League powerhouse Urawa Red Diamonds, a side based in the Saitama prefecture in the Greater Tokyo Area.

It presumes the dates of travel are between Sunday 12th and Saturday 18th of April 2009 (six nights), with the match being played on Wednesday 15th April. Because I’m a student, I’ve based the itinerary/budget on basic travel for one adult. Prices are correct as of Sunday November 23, 2008.

Japan away:
Flights: re: www.jetstar.com.au
Sydney to Tokyo return fare including taxes, meals and entertainment flying Jetstar = $1213.36
Accommodation: re: www.hostelworld.com
Six nights at Ace Inn Shinjuku in dorm room = $338.58 (cheaper options available however this hostel is right in the centre of Tokyo)
Match ticket: re: www.japan-guide.com
Between ¥2000 and ¥5000 (that’s about $25 to $80 to you or me)
Transfers/Spending/Sake money:
$750+
Optional extra: re: www.japanrail.com
Japan rail offers a seven day consecutive pass allowing unlimited rail travel throughout Japan. Purchasing this pass makes tourist side trips to other cities such as Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima much more cost friendly. It also accounts for all subway use, and you can use it to get out to Saitama. The price of this pass varies depending on the exchange rate, but currently sits at about $450. You must purchase this pass before you arrive in Japan.
Total: >$2500

Depending on who we are drawn against, I myself hope to be able to travel to one or maybe more away fixtures. At around $3000 a trip, I find it no small sum to spend, but the opportunity for such travel may be limited. Since 2002, Dortmund’s impact in Europe has been minimal meaning fans like Carsten have had to be content with mainly Bundesliga away games. Like Dortmund, who knows if the Jets will be a regular player in the ACL? For those to-ing and fro-ing, consider the small part you’ll gain in Newcastle football folklore, the stories you’ll have to tell and the pictures you’ll have to share. Then raid the piggy bank or take a loan while interest rates are low...

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Matthew Hall reported yesterday that a British betting agency is offering $25000 for any Premier League player to perform the kung fu Takai from a scene in The Karate Kid movies as a goal celebration. Whilst I’ve not the faintest idea what this looks like, Joel Griffiths must have read the article wrong and thought it was pay day...