An England superfan covered in passport-stamp tattoos says cocky Ghana supporters taunted the Three Lions by declaring: “It will never come home.”
Ian Odgers has not missed an England home qualifier or friendly in 17 years and has attended every away qualifier and friendly for the past 12.
The 58-year-old travelled to Boston for Tuesday’s group-stage clash and headed straight to the stadium after landing from the UK.
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But before kick-off, he spotted Ghana fans holding a banner reading: “England it will never come home.”
After the match ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw, Ian said the mood among England supporters was far from upbeat, as reported by Whats The Jam.
He said: “Overall, it was not great vibes in Boston.
“Lots of frustration playing against a deep and well-drilled Ghanaian side.
“We moved the ball too slow and created very little.
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“We could have snatched a win and we would have won the group.
“And finishing second instead of first could cost me around £1,000 after I booked parts of my trip based on England topping the group.
“I thought we had done the difficult part.”
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Ian also described chaotic scenes outside the stadium before and after the match.
He said: “Due to my flight being delayed I went straight to the ground and used the luggage drop facilities.
“After the game it was total bedlam.
“People were like animals.
“Pushing, shouting – it was carnage.
“There was a gazebo backed onto a lorry and they were charging $25 per bag.
“There were hundreds of items there as even small bags were not allowed in.
“The system was never going to work.
“People ripped the gazebo down and the guy running it kept threatening to drive off with everyone’s stuff.
“Police and police horses were used to restore some kind of order.”
Ian is now banking on England reaching the last 16 after securing tickets for that match, as well as the semi-final and final should the Three Lions go all the way.
His passion for England began when he attended his first match aged 12 and later made it his life’s ambition to follow the national team around the world.
He estimates he has travelled to around 30 countries supporting England, spending roughly £90,000 in the process.
Around seven years ago, he began commemorating his football adventures with a series of passport-stamp tattoos.
Despite the expense and endless travelling, Ian says he keeps following England because it is the best hobby in the world.
He added: “I question myself so many times why I do it but ultimately it’s a passion, a belief, a pride that drives us.”
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