IT'S not cheap following Saints in Sweden, where beer is a good £4 or £5 a pint.

But for die-hard fan Mike Young, there was an unexpected additional expense lurking this week.

The committee member of the Basingstoke Saints branch of supporters thought he had planned his trip to Sweden with friend Alan Barton to precision. But upon arriving in Gothenburg, he discovered he had forgotten that vital garment of clothing which no self-respecting fan could survive without.

Yes. Disaster. Mike forgot to pack his replica Saints shirt.

While hugely annoying, even the most committed of fan would probably have just shrugged their shoulders and got on with the trip.

But not Mike.

A phone call to his wife followed and, at the cost of £62, his £40 shirt was couriered from Hampshire to West Sweden as a matter of the greatest urgency.

It didn't arrive in time for Saints' 1-0 win over GAIS last Wednesday, but was firmly back on Mike's shoulders for the 8-0 win against Asebro.

"It's the most expensive Saints shirt in history," joked Alan.

Alan and Mike travelled to Saturday's game with brothers Richard and Dave Ember, as well as Jon Stallard.

They are staying in Oslo, but the group met prior to the match with GAIS in Gothenburg as fans congregated in the Dubliner pub.

So how do they see the new season?

"It will be similar to last year," said Richard.

"We look solid again, but it is the creativity from midfield that we need."

"We need to be better at breaking teams down," agreed Dave.

The opposition wasn't the best on Saturday, but Saints at least gave their travelling contingent of 100 fans a more positive impression of what they can do in front of goal.

The match took place at the Rudevi ground deep in the Swedish countryside.

It was a big-day for part-timers Asebro, who are struggling in Swedish Division Three, and most of the neighbourhood turned out to see Saints.

The crowd was estimated at around 750 and there was something of a village fete atmosphere to the game, with Saints given a standing ovation as they made their way on to the field.

As ever, the Anders Svensson groupies were out in force, and it was a rare treat for Saints fans to watch their team in such intimate surroundings.

Lifelong fan Colin Watts, who grew up in Totton but now lives in Cornwall, has taken his family on a ten-day holiday in Scandinavia to coincide with the current tour. Wife Lynne and nine-year-old son Kyran are also big Saints fans.

"Kyran is football mad and knows everything about the players," said Colin. "We should have another decent season. We were pushing for the top six last year, but the managerial change and injuries meant we lost momentum."

Kyran, meanwhile, sat transfixed for a good 20 minutes beside the goal as 'keepers Antti Niemi and Alan Blayney went through their warm-ups.

For Saints fans, that was what Saturday was really all about. A day when their Premiership heroes could be watched, heard and enjoyed up close without the usual filter of a roaring Premiership crowd.