‘Cursed’ banner not to blame for Poland exit

Jinx: Polish fan denies Scotland’s bad luck in World Cup has rubbed off on Poland and he’s proud to carry flag

A Poland fan has denied that a “cursed” Arbroath flag is to blame for his country’s World Cup exit.

Andrzej Lorkowski, 41, is spending a fortnight in Russia to watch Poland’s group games and has created a buzz across the country after being given a treasured Scotland flag to take with him by Arbroath supporter Sye Webster.

The flag, emblazoned with Arbroath FC 36-0 World Record Holders, has been to the World Cup with Scotland since 1982 and every time Scotland failed to get out of the group stages.

This year a similar fate befell Poland after defeats to Senegal and Colombia.

“It’s definitely not the Scottish flag to blame for Poland going out,” he said.

“I don’t believe the flag is cursed. I’ve been proud to carry it but Poland’s downfall has been self-inflicted. Forget Scotland’s bad luck rubbing off on Poland, there’s just been too many mistakes and I think it is down to preparation.

“Losing the first two games and going out has been hard for the Poland fans but I am sure we will find out after the tournament what has been going on behind the scenes.”

Mr Lorkowski is in Sochi for Poland’s final group game against Japan but the team is guaranteed to finish bottom.

Mr Lorkowski moved to Scotland 15 years ago and works as a machine assistant at Halliburton in Arbroath.

Thanks to Mr Lorkowski, who lives in the town, supporters from Australia, Iran, Mexico and Senegal are among those who now know a little more about the Lichties’ record-breaking 36-0 victory over Bon Accord in the Scottish Cup in 1885.

Arbroath FC hailed the “ambassadorial” role Mr Lorkowski has been playing in Russia and they now want to repay the favour and invite him to a Lichties game when he returns.

The flag was bought for £250 in 1982 for the Spain World Cup. It hit the headlines in 2015 when a Dublin drinking session with two Canadian air hostesses saw it end up halfway round the world.

gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk

“It’s definitely not the Scottish flag to blame for Poland going out. I don’t believe the flag is cursed.

ANDRZEJ LORKOWSKI

Andrzej Lorkowski, a Poland fan, has flown the flag for Arbroath at the World Cup, despite his country failing to win a game so far, below. The banner has been taken by Scotland fans to the competition since 1982 and every time the team failed to...