A FOOTBALL fan from Dinas Powys has been given permission to stay in France to watch Wales' epic journey through the European Championships by his boss, after smashing an online target she had set him.

Matt Trotman works for Real Staffing in San Francisco but was brought up in Dinas Powys.

He originally had no plans to go to France, but after Gareth Bale and co beat Russia 3-0 to reach the knockout stages, he decided he had to go and pleaded for some last-minute time off from work.

The former St Cyres Pupil knows Welsh player David Cotterill, who managed to get him tickets for the last 16 game against Northern Ireland.

After Wales progressed to the quarter finals, Mr Trotman again bagged himself some tickets for the Belgium game in Lille - and he called his boss, Stephanie Brooks, to see what the chances were of him extending his say.

Fortunately for him, she said yes and organised for him to work out of the pharmaceutical recruitment service's London office.

Mr Trotman said: "That was great of her. I knew people who were heading back so I organised to get a lift."

Only Mr Trotman then missed his lift back in the midst of the celebrations.

And, after Wales' historic triumph over the Belgians, he again picked up the phone to San Francisco to see if he could further extend his stay.

Ms Brooks said he could - if he could get 1000 people to back his bid to remain in France within a day's working hours.

Luckily for him, the numbers "spiralled" and he racked up around 1,500 likes within the eight-hour period.

True to her word, his boss said she was happy to grant him permission once again.

"I have only been working there for six months and they've been outstanding," Mr Trotman said of his employers.

"My manager is brilliant. The whole office will be wearing red today and they have a longer lunch break to watch the game.

"It has been really crazy. The atmosphere for the games has been incredible.

"It been the best trip I've ever had already."

Mr Trotman does is set to finally fly home on Monday and said that whatever happens in the game tonight, it has been an "incredible journey."