Expat Welsh fans on where
WE’LL sing our hearts out at home in Wales today – but thousands of expats will be watching the contest in their own, quieter, corners of the world.
James McCarthy caught up with the men and women abroad who’ll be trying to keep up with the score from afar. Cardiff-born restaurateur Illtyd Barrett, who grew up in Milford Haven, runs the Wales-themed Sunken Hundred in New York.
“I usually go and watch the games at a bar called The Grafton which is this nice sports bar,” the 51-year-old said.
“For years it was just me, I was the only Welsh supporter until I met my friend Peter.
“Then it was just me and him for years. I would go and get completely smashed and have a great laugh.
“This year will be good. There are about 40 of us. There are a lot of young lads and girls from Wales who live here. That should be really good and it will be the first time that has happened.
“I used to live in Edinburgh before I moved to New York and I would love it when the Welsh would come up there.
“I see them here as well. If they can’t get tickets to a good game they get hammered and come and watch it here. The Americans do not get it at all.
“They say to me, ‘You’re saying they come from Wales to watch it on the TV in New York?’ They just do not get it.
“You can see them a mile off.