Andy Milne, a companion of the famous ‘World Cup Guy,’ has struck a fortunate deal with Hilton Hotels during this summer’s tournament. This agreement came about after it was revealed that he was selling his second home to finance his journey to support England in the US. Despite having two property viewings, no offers have been made yet.
His long-time friend Stuart Kenyon, a geography teacher from Cheshire, is now enjoying a cost-free trip to each World Cup venue. Both friends recently stayed at the Hilton in Dallas, where they met fellow England supporters from all over the US. Their journey spans seven weeks across the country.
Reflecting on their experience, Stuart humorously remarked, “It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. We used to lead school trips abroad with students before Andy retired, but this adventure is on another level. We’ve been incredibly fortunate.”
Stuart further shared, “Last night, I dined on steak and shrimp, and the quality of our accommodations truly enhances the experience. It’s a fantastic way to support England, although Andy is putting in a lot of effort.”
Andy, aged 63, has chronicled his escapades at nine World Cups in his book ‘That World Cup Guy,’ which he is currently promoting at the tournament. At an ‘England Night’ event held at the Seven Doors Kitchen in Dallas, he engaged with fans and relished the atmosphere.
Formerly a teacher alongside Stuart at The Grange school, Andy is relishing his time in the United States. Both he and Stuart secured £45 tickets through the official England fans’ club as a token of appreciation for their unwavering loyalty.
“I’ve attended every World Cup since 2006,” Andy mentioned. “This one has been quite demanding so far; everything in Dallas seems far apart, requiring fans to travel extensively between venues. Nevertheless, the stadium is spectacular, and I believe I have a prime seat. Every moment needs to be cherished.”
Soon to be a grandfather, Andy, along with his wife Achla, is looking forward to traveling to Australia to meet their daughter and soon-to-be mother Laila after the tournament. In the event of an England victory, new chapters would be added to his book to immortalize the pinnacle of his lifelong support for the national team.
Andy gained recognition during the Qatar tournament for holding a replica of the Jules Rimet trophy while celebrating England’s victory over Senegal in the round of 16. This moment was captured and featured in the Mirror.
Jacob Quintana, manager and owner of Seven Doors, praised the atmosphere during the England night event, noting the unity and joy among fans as they gathered to support their team.
Stijn Bastiaens, Hilton’s VP of marketing and loyalty, EMEA, expressed the brand’s support for England fans, emphasizing the importance of providing top-notch accommodations for dedicated supporters like Andy. Hilton’s involvement includes featuring Andy in their campaign alongside notable figures like Jordan Pickford, Ray Parlour, Jill Scott, and Morgan Rogers.
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