Fans training to be in it for the long-haul

FANS face gruelling treks to cheer the Three Lions on when they tackle Sweden.

The train journey from Moscow to Samara will take 16 hours – while the free fans’ service from St Petersburg will take 31hrs 22 mins.

And supporters spurred on by England’s newfound confidence are now making their way to Russia in their thousands, from across the globe.

Miles Rudham, 51, of Cobham, Surrey, and Dex Marshall from Shanghai, China, got last-minute tickets for the Colombia match.

Dex, 58, said: “It takes hours just to get out of China but that is what it is to follow England.”

Barney Corkhill, 26, of Peckham, South East London, added: “At full time I was telling people, ‘We are going to win on penalties’ – but I didn’t believe it. It’s coming home, isn’t it?”

Charlie Hackford, 20, of Hull, is going to the Sweden game with dad Ashley, 45.

He said: “We are so lucky to have picked these games.”

Those attending all the games will have covered more than 5,000 miles by the time they reach the quarter-finals.