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Anton Momberg had barely heard of Gloucester Rugby a little over a year ago, but now he's on course to become the Cherry and White's most famous fan.

He's already a cult hero among much of the Glaws Family for his enthusiastic posts in the supporters' Facebook group Gloucester Rugby is my Holm, and now they've decided it's time to get him over from his own home - 8,200 miles away.

Anton, you see, lives in Johannesburg.

He's developed a growing love for Gloucester ever since it became the new home to a healthy cohort of players and staff from his beloved Golden Lions, the Super Rugby franchise of his city.

(Image: Anton Momberg/Facebook)

Head coach Johan Ackermann, and players Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Ruan Ackermann and Ruan Dreyer have all made the move to Kingsholm - although in Mostert's case the deal is still in some dispute.

And now Gloucester's fans are going above and beyond to help Anton get to see them in their new colours in the flesh, launching a crowdfunder to pay for him to make the mammoth trip.

Others have offered free accommodation, travel and even attempted to get #anton2kingsholm trending on Twitter. At time of writing, the crowdfunder has reached £790 of a £1,500 target - any surplus after the cost of his trip is paid for will be given to charity.

Anton, 48, said he's been left humbled by what's happened.

"Nobody has ever done something like this for me," he said.

"I never would have imagined the impact I have made in the lives of the Gloucester Rugby fans.

"I am so excited and nervous, so looking forward to the Gloucester experience seeing a live game and meeting the folks.

"I am just overwhelmed and humbled and so so thankful to everyone that is making contact with me.

"It will be an unforgettable experience that will cherish for the rest of my life. And I am just a plain guy, nothing flashy about me, who just loves rugby."

Exactly which fixture Anton will come and see hasn't quite been agreed, although many have suggested it ought to be the West Country derby against Bath in the Gallagher Premiership on April 12 or 13.

Anton's daily countdowns Part of the reason why Anton has been so taken to heart is his 'daily countdowns' to games in the supporters group Gloucester Rugby is my Holm. But not everyone was enjoying it - he was asked to stop posting them a few months, only for uproar to follow. A poll quickly ensued, asking whether his countdowns should be reinstated, and the results were overwhelming - more than 300 voted 'yes' to just eight 'no', and it's from there that the crowdfunder appeal was born.

And while Anton knows all there is to know about Gloucester's South African stars, he admits he is still playing catch-up with the rest of the squad.

"I know Coach Ackies (Johan Ackermann), Jaco, Ruan, and Ruan Dryer and Franco that will join Gloucester soon. I have seen them so many times at Emirates Airline Park (the Golden Lions stadium).

"I am still learning about the rest of the Gloucester squad, but stick with Coach Ackies and he will take the lads to new heights."

Update: Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann has recorded this personal message for Anton:

Gloucester season ticket holder Chris Kirkham, who is helping to push the crowdfunder appeal, said it's Anton's positivity that has endeared him to the Cherry and White faithful.

"Even after a bad result, he is so full of positive things," said Chris, 57, from Hucclecote.

"We started the crowdfunder at an £800 target and it's double that now, it's really wonderful.

"I've never heard of anything like this before, certainly at club rugby level. You get lots of the great charity stuff happening but a group of fans paying for something like this is unheard of.

"It's just rugby for you, and even more than that, that's Gloucester for you."

Chris said the Bath game is the 'obvious' choice for Anton to make his Gloucester debut - and of course it will have to be in the Shed.

"I'd like to see him interviewed in the Shed, with all the people who helped get him there around him, and I think the club should parade him at half-time," said Chris.