A week ago, Taras Postolan was no different to every other Nottingham Forest season ticket holder.
A 40-year-old civil servant, he would follow the Reds and have the same gripes as the rest of us as they chase an ever elusive return to the Premier League.
Then Ukraine invaded Russia. A third generation Ukrainian, he admits he would have returned to his motherland to take up arms against Vladimir Putin's armies but for having an 11-year-old son to raise.
It is a situation few could have believed possible, but now major cities are being bombed and civilians killed despite the extraordinary of people there.
Taras, known as Taz, is safe in Nottingham, but his father is back in Ukraine, while his step-brother fights on the frontline..
He understandably worries about their safety, as well as the impact the war is having on his son Luka.
"My dad was born in England but he moved back to Ukraine 20 years ago. I've got extended family and friends out there now in Kyiv," he said on the Garibaldi Red podcast.
"It's a worrying time. My dad is in western Ukraine luckily. They've had missile strikes, but it's aimed at military bases. He's in a rural area which is relatively safe, touch wood.
"His step son is on the front line. He's been in Kherson, which the Russians have surrounded. He's been in Khrarkiv where you might have seen images of civilian buildings getting bombed.
"There's going to be a big humanitarian crisis there. My dad is a British citizen so he could come back but he's staying there. If it came to it he would fight the Russians.
"The worrying bit is the unknown of what is ahead. The first day of it all I was in complete shock. I almost couldn't function.
"Now I'm feeling helpless, that I can't do anything. I'm trying to get involved in volunteering to get aid together.
"Luka is keeping me here. If I didn't have him I think I'd be straight over there fighting. It feels like it's good versus evil, if that's not exaggerating. Putin has to be stopped.
"I tried to shield my son from it as much as I can but it's such a big start of my family and my heritage. You can't avoid it.
"We watched the news other day and he became really withdrawn for a while then he broke down in tears. It's horrible to see your child like that."
Taz is still in daily contact with his father as they anxiously hope for an end to the invasion, even though he is not expecting one soon.
But what can football fans and Forest fans do to help end of war on the outer edges of Europe?
Some supporters donned Ukrainian colours and waved flags as the Reds beat Bristol City last week. Taz hopes that continues.
"I'm hoping to see even more Ukrainian flags on Monday (against Huddersfield). We've approached the club to see if they can do anything but we're yet to here back.
"It would be great to blue and yellow round the City Ground. I don't want it to be a conflict people forget about in a week or two because people in Ukraine will suffer for months and years.
"There is so much good and kindness in the world still. I hope fans get behind what's happening with Ukraine. I'm grateful to the fans who have reached out to me.
"At the Bristol game I was getting lots of hugs and fist bumps from people. Luka said to me 'do you know all these people' and I said 'no, they're Forest fans, they're just good people. We rally round each other in times of need'."
Taz has volunteered at Trident Security in Colwick as they collect provisions to take to the war zone. Meanwhile, Taz's sister sent money to their step brother's battalion, with troops responding with a photo thanking Nottingham, which has been widely seen on social media.
"They were going to take one van over but they've been overwhelmed by donations from the people of Nottingham.
"At times like this it makes me proud to be from this city.
"They're looking to get a lorry to go over now so if fans want to donate to that they can get in touch with me on Twitter (@taztheuke)
"My sister, like me, felt she wanted to do something. She sent funds to directly to the battalion our step brother is in.
"They spent it on food for the troops and repairs to equipment. That pic has gone a bit viral. Most of the other people who donated are from Nottingham so you saw a picture of the soldiers saying thank you Nottingham.
"It's good they know people here support them."
