You don't hear that kind of sentiment, shared by Simon, a Tigers' fan who lives in Norfolk, very often. It's rare to find a community who, almost universally, support a team that play a three-hour drive and 110 miles away.

He has come along to a Leicester open training session at Gresham's School in Holt, joined by his wife and two daughters. They travel to see the team for every home game, and are not alone.

Hundreds more fans have come along to see their team train in this small town near the north Norfolk coast. One tells me the area is a "home from home for Leicester".

The county brings hundreds of supporters to each game, but has also produced some of Tigers' best players.

Freddie Steward and Ben Youngs are both from the county, came through the Leicester academy and are heading to the Rugby World Cup. Jack van Poortvliet, another Norfolk native, would have joined them but for an untimely injury.

Listen to the story of Leicester Tigers and Norfolk on the Leicester Tigers Rugby Show podcast (available from 19:00 BST on Wednesday)
Ben's brother Tom also became an England player and British and Irish Lion, and players like Harry Simmons, Calum Green and Charlie Clare have played key roles in Leicester's revival.

When did this unlikely alliance begin?
In the Premiership, each team has a so-called 'catchment area' to find talent and bring players through their academy.

Tigers recruit from Leicestershire and Rutland, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Staffordshire - counties that are geographically close - and then, surprisingly, Norfolk".

Please read the rest of this fantastic BBC article by clicking the link here. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66610881?fbclid=IwAR2vD3Vszs_VFntR6PYEqf0HGzi5HQHCnwFx5Tf_Awy9UfQAhPxS5YaFnHw