Thousands of fans in dash to join Three Lions
UP to 5,000 England fans were scrambling to get to Russia last night after the team’s record 6-1 victory against Panama sent the nation football crazy.
Supporters had largely shunned the World Cup amid fears of terrorism, hooliganism and political unrest following the Salisbury poisoning – and just 2,500 saw Sunday’s win.
But fans’ forums have since exploded with messages from supporters desperate to get hold of tickets for the knockout stages.
England meet Belgium on Thursday as the sell-out match will determine the top two positions of Group G and who they will each meet at the knockout stage.
And thousands of additional fans are planning to fly out after England confirmed their progression.
Travel advice organisation Abta said World Cup fever had gripped supporters who had initially stayed home but were now booking lastminute trips. Gullivers Travel, which runs England Supporters Club trips, said it had sold out all packages for the Belgium game.
Fifa is expected to put last-minute tickets on sale costing from £79 for the match and knockout games with flights to Russia costing from £300.
An Abta spokesman said: “It’s been World Cup fever since England’s win in the first game. More people are likely to head out to Russia after concerns about trouble dissipated.”
Author Mark Perryman, who has travelled to World Cups since the 1990s, said: “A considerably bigger number of England fans will be going out to Russia after the Panama game.
“Fans were put off by suggestions of hooligans, authoritarian police,
racism and homophobia – but it’s not been anything like that.”
Michael Brough, 54, of Bishop’s Stortford, Herts, flew his children Saskia 14, and Oscar, 12, to watch the Panama match and said they were considering returning for the rest of the tournament. I feel like we have been a lucky omen. It was the first England game all of us have seen and it was fantastic.’’ Builder Paul Farmer, 38, of Solihull, West Mids, said: “With a player like Harry Kane there’s no limit to what we can achieve.’’
Football Supporters’ Federation chief Kevin Miles said: “The fear factor has subsided. The team is playing way above expectations and I’d encourage fans to look into coming out here.’’