A 10,000-strong army of England fans is heading to Dallas to see our World Cup opener against Croatia. Superfan Robert Didd has attended every single England home game since 1986, setting a record of 222 consecutive games from 1987 to 2007. He has spent around £500,000 following his country but does not regret a penny.
My first game was in October 1986, and I have been to every single home game in 40 years. In the 90s, I calculated that I had spent around £100,000 following England, but it must be about £500,000 now. I would have a bigger house and a few extra bedrooms. But I have been to 76 countries. It is like being an explorer, travelling the world you see on TV or read about in a book.
He was pictured at an early game, aged 16, with his Mitcham/Chelsea England flag. He has kept match tickets and memorabilia from a lifetime of following the national side. His ‘fear’ is of missing out if England win the World Cup.
Civil servant Garford, 64, of London, is at his 10th World Cup, spending around £12,000 on the trip. Garford is heading to Dallas and from there will take a Greyhound bus to Boston, a journey of 40 hours.
It is £135 with three changes, but it will be a real experience and give me time to think and see parts of America that I would never have seen otherwise. You leave at 3.15am, which may not be very comfortable, but I am going to Nashville and New York before Boston, and through Memphis, Jackson, Knoxville, and Charlottesville. That is what you will remember, the places and the people.”
England Supporters’ Association leads the Fans’ Embassy service in the US and did a four-day road trip from Florida to Dallas via Tallahassee, Florida, Mobile, Alabama, and Natchez, Mississippi. A Newcastle United fan, he told of a ‘church every half mile’ in Louisiana and rolling countryside reminiscent of his native Northumberland.
The country roads were like the A1 when it goes into single file in North Northumberland. It was old school America. The only thing missing was the Johnny Cash soundtrack. It is worth it when you get here, as the Dallas stadium is absolutely magnificent. I think the number of England supporters here, when you consider the financial challenges, is just incredible and a real credit to them.”
He stressed the need to carry water because of the extreme heat forecast for the 3pm kick-off time, with temperatures expected to reach 32-33 °C, around 90F. The match is set to be played under the roof at the stadium to make it cooler for players and fans.
Chris Thomas, 40, originally from Leeds, is leaving at 3am tomorrow (Wednesday) from Kansas City to get to the game in time for kick-off. Chris, who sells traditional British pies with a street food firm called ‘Brit Boy’, now living in Kansas City, is with his best friend, Sam Bannister, also from Leeds, and Kye Marty, another ex-pat, and his American wife, Sundy.
The stadium is about 45 minutes outside the city, so we will be driving and using taxis and public transport when we get there. Otherwise, the costs can be horrific. It is a mixture of excitement and trepidation now. I just hope England give it a good go.”
Exeter City fan George Smith, a finance worker who now lives in San Diego, California, is travelling to the England group games with Three Lions supporters based in Spain, Scandinavia and Australia. George, 42, is taking his son Charlie, 11, to the England games with him. He also plans to take his Mexican-born wife, Monica, to the famous Azteca stadium if England face her native country in the Round of 16.
In total, George has spent around $7,000 dollars (£5,178) on tickets for himself and his family. But the bill may rise to £12,000 depending on how far England progress.
