06.04.2026 23:01
Erdem Alan, a 64-year-old from Erzurum, has not left his team alone for years despite his advancing age, thanks to his hitchhiking trips, nights spent at the terminal, and adventurous travels. The fan, nicknamed "Dede," said, "One day around 11:00 or 12:00 at night, the phone rang, my wife calls me 'Dadaş.' She said, 'Dadaş, bring bread when you come.' I was going from Kocaeli to Istanbul, and I said 'okay.' I waited, but she realized I was going to the match. So it's always Erzurumspor, always Erzurumspor."
Erdem Alan, a 64-year-old known as "Dede," has been showing his loyalty to Erzurumspor for 46 years, from the stands to his daily life, and continues to express his love for the team as a passion and way of life.
''FAN WITH THE NICKNAME ''DEDE'' HAS BEEN LIVING THE LOVE FOR ERZURUMSPOR FOR 46 YEARS Born in 1962 in the Uzundere district of Erzurum and having lived there for many years, Erdem Alan fell in love with Erzurumspor during the 1980s when he started working as a public servant in Tokat. During this period, Alan began to closely follow the team's matches and maintained this passion when he was transferred back to his hometown of Erzurum. Despite facing financial and emotional difficulties from time to time, Alan, known as "Dede," has hardly missed any matches and has never left his team alone in away games. He has also brought his love for the team into his home. By creating a room filled with Erzurumspor colors in his house in the city center, wearing team-themed clothing, and using accessories, Alan lives his love for the blue and white colors as a passion and way of life.
HITCHHIKING TO AWAY GAMES, NIGHTS SPENT IN TERMINALS Alan, who spends his life hitchhiking to away games, spending nights at terminals, and having adventurous travels, believes that his team, which is currently leading the Trendyol 1st League, will be promoted to the Super League this season. Erdem Alan told an AA reporter that he has had a special bond with his team for 46 years.
Expressing that he has faced every difficulty and has never missed an away game, Alan said:
"I went to the Urfa match, and when I came out of the match, there was no one. What should I do? I had limited money, I was hitchhiking. I told the taxi driver, 'I have 400 liras, I want to go to the garage,' and he asked for 350 liras. At that moment, a motorcycle police came, and I will never forget it. I told him, and he said to me, 'Did you come to the match, Dadaş?' When I said yes, he let me ride on the back of his motorcycle and took me to the garage. The bus was leaving, and they said, 'It's going to Bingöl.' I thought, 'If it's going to Bingöl, I can count it as coming to Erzurum.' So I got on. I was going, but I had little money, and I said, 'If someone could come and tell me how much the fare is, I would feel comfortable.' An old man came and said, 'Uncle, I have 400 liras, take whatever you need and give me the rest, I'm going to Erzurum.' He took 200 liras and gave me the rest, saying, 'We are going to Erzurum.' I thanked God, it seems we were not on a bad road. God helped me here too; I will never forget that police officer bringing me."
''WHEN MY WIFE CALLED ME TO GET BREAD, I WAS GOING FROM KOCAELİ TO ISTANBUL'' Alan explained that his wife has also supported him a lot and has shown understanding, saying, "One day around 11:00 or 12:00 at night, the phone rang, and my wife calls me 'Dadaş.' She said, 'Bring bread when you come.' I was going from Kocaeli to Istanbul. I said, 'Okay.' I waited, but she realized I was going to the match. I mean, it's always Erzurumspor, always Erzurumspor. I have nothing else; I walk around the city like this (referring to his clothes). People ask me, 'Is there a match today?' They say, 'Aren't you cold, walking around like this in winter?' but I don't feel cold. We are chasing our love."
Alan stated that he has never gone to any away match for free and that due to his limited budget, he tries to negotiate with drivers for discounted transportation. He mentioned that when he has no money, he borrows to hit the road, saying, "I went to a match in Adana, and when it was over, everyone left, and I was left there. I didn't have the courage to ask someone to take me. I have spent nights in one or two terminals many times. Only I know this, but I am determined; I will go until I die, until the last drop of my breath. No matter what anyone says. If someone tells me at the stadium, 'Dede, don't go in here,' then I would end myself because everyone knows me in this city."
Alan pointed out that Erzurumspor FK is on its way to the Super League, stating, "Our president works tirelessly day and night. He has sacrificed everything. We need to be united and together in our remaining matches. We will not give up, and hopefully, we will succeed. If not, what can we do? It's not the end of the world; we have experienced everything. We have been relegated, but we have come and gone again, but unity and togetherness are very important."
WIFE ZENNURE ALAN: ''HE PASSED IT ON TO ME, I MUST WATCH THE MATCH WHEN IT'S ON'' His wife, Zennure Alan, stated that they have been married for 38 years, and that she has gotten used to her husband's love for Erzurumspor and now sees it as normal. Noting that her husband sometimes goes to away matches without informing her, Alan recorded the following:
"He has no coffee, no drinks, no cigarettes, just the match. He passed it on to me; I must watch the match when it's Erzurum's game. There is no other entertainment besides Erzurumspor. I now see it as normal; since I can no longer cope, I do whatever my duty is. One day I called him to say, 'Get bread,' and he said, 'I'm going to Istanbul.' I laughed and said, 'Go.' I got my bread from the shop. So we don't have a problem whether you went or didn't go. Once he sets his mind to it, he will definitely do it; it's best not to say anything. Even if I try to warn him, he tells me, 'Mind your own business, don't interfere with me.' I don't interfere; after all, it's his life."