IT was perhaps the most significant 90 minutes in the history of Welsh football – but for one Pembrokeshire man, the excitement was all a bit too much as he slept through the majority of the game in Bordeaux.

Gareth Tansey, 34, from Hakin, made it to his seat in plenty of time to watch Wales’ historic 2-1 win over Slovakia, but about 30 minutes prior to kick off, nodded off and didn’t wake up until the second half, by which time Wales led 1-0.

Some fans even summoned Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams over in an attempt to wake up Gareth, but despite Williams ruffling his hair and belting out the national anthem in his ear, there was no disturbing the Milford man from his slumber.

Later that evening, photos taken by friends and fellow Welsh fans went viral on social media, and Gareth was an instant internet sensation.

“It has all gone a bit mad,” Sunderland fan Gareth told the Western Telegraph today (Monday).

“There were about 20-25 us from Milford enjoying ourselves with Welsh fans in the morning and we were topping up from the night before.

“It was a great atmosphere.”

But a morning of drinking and the searing heat clearly got the better of Gareth, who made it to the stadium but then fell asleep during the warm-ups.

“I was ‘sort of’ alright once I woke up – and managed to come around for the second half and last until the end of the night,” he said.

And in fairness to Gareth, he has taken the whole affair in good humour.

“I wasn’t happy about the boys posting the pictures at first because I didn’t want my mum or missus to see them – but even they are able to smile about it all now.

“And it was still well worth the journey. What a great weekend.”

However, the Euro 2016 experience won’t end there for Gareth, who is travelling through France in a camper van with friend Steve Warr.

“We are making our way down to Lens now for the England game and looking for tickets.

“We’ve had no luck yet but hopefully this story can help us out!”