World Cup live: Ticket price controversy leaves thousands of seats empty

By Jeremy Armstrong in Kansas City

Two of England’s most loyal fans have offered a US ‘survival’ guide for our supporters. Andy Milne, 63, and Garford Beck, 64, have attended 20 World Cups between them. Andy, of Northwich, Cheshire, became so famous after being spotted in the England crowd at Qatar with a replica of the Jules Rimet trophy that he was nicknamed ‘That World Cup Guy’.

He has just released a book of the same name based on his travels to nine previous tournaments. Garford, 64, of London, also at his 10th World Cup, will feature in ITV adverts seen by millions during commercial breaks of their coverage. This follows the Mirror’s report on his incredible exploits following England around the world.

Andy first travelled to Spain for the 1982 World Cup – and kept going even after all his belongings were stolen. He said: “In the early days I had to save money. For Germany in 2006, I had a mattress in the back of the car and I used to sleep in that. I would drive to a campsite to wash my clothes there and have a shower every morning because it was very hot.

“I didn’t take a sleeping bag, I just had a thick double duvet. Later on, I would travel with a tent.” Andy, who put his second £350,000 home on the market to fund his trip to the US, added: “If I couldn’t camp then I would use an Airbnb with mates.”

Garford, a civil servant, still has an England ticket from 1973 autographed by Alan Ball and memorabilia from a lifetime of following England. He said: “My first game was against England in 1972 with my dad and looking back it was the beginning of the end for Sir Alf Ramsey.

“That shows how long I have been a fan! Nowadays I would advise fans to keep in touch on social media, team up with people on the road where and look at cheap modes of transport and accommodation. On the first night in Samara, Russia, at the 2018 World Cup, we ended up in a school dorm. Then FIFA laid on a free train.

“In America, I am going to take a Greyhound bus from Dallas to Boston which will take 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.”