Andy Milne, a close companion of the renowned ‘That World Cup Guy,’ has secured a favorable lodging arrangement with Hilton Hotels during this summer’s tournament. The deal came about after a report by the Mirror disclosed that he planned to sell his second property to finance his trip to watch England in the US. While there have been two property viewings priced at £350,000, no offers have materialized yet.
His long-time friend and ex-colleague, Stuart Kenyon, a geography teacher from Northwich in Cheshire, is now journeying to every World Cup venue at no cost due to this connection. Their adventure kicked off at the Hilton in Dallas, where they mingled with England supporters from various parts of the US before embarking on a remarkable seven-week expedition across the nation.
Stuart, residing near Andy in Northwich, humorously remarked, “It’s a challenging task, but someone has to do it. We used to lead international school trips with students before Andy’s retirement, but this experience surpasses all previous ventures. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate.”
Reflecting on their experience, Stuart shared, “Last night, I indulged in a delicious steak and shrimp meal, and the quality of our accommodations truly enhances the journey. It’s an excellent way to follow England, even though Andy is putting in a lot of effort.”
Andy, aged 63, recently published his chronicles of attending nine World Cups in a book titled ‘That World Cup Guy.’ He is actively promoting the book at the tournament and recently enjoyed an ‘England Night’ at the Seven Doors Kitchen in Dallas.
Formerly colleagues at The Grange school in Cheshire, Andy and Stuart are savoring the entire spectacle in the United States. Both secured £45 tickets through the official England fans’ club as a token of appreciation for their unwavering support.
“I’ve been to every World Cup since 2006,” Andy stated. “This one has been particularly demanding so far; the distances between locations in Dallas are vast, and fans must travel extensively. Nonetheless, the stadium is spectacular, and I believe I have secured a prime spot. Every moment must be cherished.”
Following the tournament, Andy is set to embrace a new role as ‘Grandee Andy’ with the impending arrival of his first grandchild during the summer. Post-tournament, he plans to visit his daughter and expectant mother Laila in Australia with his wife Achla, aged 63.
In the event of an England victory, Andy envisions updating his book with new chapters to capture the pinnacle of his lifetime devotion to the national team.
Andy garnered attention during the tournament in Qatar when he was photographed holding a replica of the iconic Jules Rimet trophy while celebrating England’s 3-0 triumph over Senegal in the round of 16, an image that featured in the Mirror.
Jacob Quintana, manager and owner of Seven Doors, expressed, “The World Cup has arrived at the perfect moment for the US. Witnessing the collective joy and camaraderie among fans regardless of team allegiance is truly heartwarming.”
Stijn Bastiaens, vice president of marketing and loyalty at Hilton, emphasized the importance of providing top-notch accommodations to England supporters like Andy. Hilton’s partnership with the FA and the England teams ensures that fans are well taken care of during their away matches.
Furthermore, Hilton plans to feature Andy in a new campaign alongside notable figures like Jordan Pickford, Ray Parlour, Jill Scott, and Morgan Rogers, recognizing the vital role of loyal fans in supporting their teams.
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