5Q | Spurs fan Callum Mees – five flights, Bilbao, a huge tattoo, OzSpurs and ‘memories that will live with me forever’
Callum Mees doesn’t do things by halves when it comes to Spurs.
An OzSpurs member based in Perth, WA, Callum was drawn to Spurs by his father, Dave and watching Gareth Bale and Harry Redknapp’s team take us into the Champions League and to the quarter-finals in 2010 and 2011.
Callum moved to Australia at the age of 10 – 12 years later, he was on a plane heading back to Europe… Bilbao, to be precise, for one of the best nights of his – and every fan’s – Spurs-supporting life. What a journey, as well – Perth to Doha, Doha to Birmingham, Birmingham to Barcelona, Barcelona to Bilbao.
To commemorate, Callum opted for something that will match his life commitment of supporting the club, a huge tattoo covering his back that took two sessions of 10 hours under the needle over two days.
Callum told us his story as he visited Spurs House, our home from home in Oxford Street, Sydney…
Q1 | What was the inspiration behind the tattoo?
Callum: “I went over for the Europa League final last year, and then being in love with Spurs since a kid… that was the best week of my life. The atmosphere there, James Black before the game, winning that trophy, and I just thought, ‘this is the time’. So, I got the tattoo, went back to Europe and Italy for the Super Cup final and was there for the start of the Premier League last year.”
Q2 | Tell us about your journey to the Europa League final...
Callum: “So, I paid £2,000 for my ticket. I flew from here to Doha, Doha to Birmingham, Birmingham to Barcelona, Barcelona to Bilbao. It took two and a half days, there for five days and a three-day journey home. It was worth it. I'd pay quadruple to go back in time and do it all over again.”
Q3 | And what about the tattoo?
Callum: “It was something that I had to think about. Obviously, my dad did a lot for us growing up, I wasn't able to go to the games, I wasn't able to experience all that, and now I'm in a position where I’m able to. The tattoo is something I can walk around with pride and I get to take into every game. It's almost like I can live that younger journey through my experiences for him. After the Europa League final, he was the first person I called, celebrating in the stadium. Those are memories that will live with me forever, and then eventually, hopefully one day when I have kids, I can pass it down and just continue the support through the generations. The tattoo took two days, two 10-hour sessions, back-to-back days. So, yeah, day two was a bit of a struggle! I just wanted it smashed out.”
Q4 | You’ve mentioned your dad, Dave, is that where your love of Spurs came from?
Callum: “Yes, from my dad. Living in Australia, the times of the games are not always great, getting up at two, three o'clock in the morning before school. I remember sitting there watching the Champions League in 2010, Bale scoring that hat-trick against Inter, those are memories that will live with me forever, watching Bale, Gomes, Dawson, King, Rose, Luka Modric, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch, that era, going to bed early, getting up at 10 o'clock to watch the game, going back to bed, and then the Champions League early in the morning as well.”
Q5 | What does it mean for everyone for Spurs to be here in Sydney this week?
Callum: “The team has been a few times over recent years, but to be here at the same time as OzSpurs’ 25th anniversary, that’s special. It’s been beautiful with all the fans here. Spurs House is great and it’s really good how the club is so engaging with us – we all really appreciate it.”