Hundreds of England fans overcame Texas-sized distances to pack a pub on the eve of the Three Lions' World Cup opener. Supporters created a sea of St George's flags, donned fancy dress, and sang popular chants as they descended on the Londoner pub on Mockingbird Lane in Dallas on Tuesday.
Organiser Highlights Challenges
John Gallivan, 39, the organiser, told the Press Association that the vast scale of Texas made it far harder for fans to find each other compared to previous tournaments in Europe. He noted that well-known England supporters Andy Milne, Steve Bracknell, and the Tango Man would attend, describing the party atmosphere as "what we come away for."
The event took place the night before England's first game against Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in nearby Arlington. Gallivan explained that in Europe, it is easy to know where to gather, but in America, it is impossible. "The whole idea of today was to just find somewhere, get them to put a deal on the beer and then advertise it," he said.
Festive Atmosphere
Supporters wearing England-themed costumes and draped in St George's flags filled the pub throughout the evening, with chants of "It's Coming Home" and "Don't Take Me Home" breaking out as more fans arrived. Gallivan said the event had grown far beyond his expectations after sharing it on social media. "We've been here since 4pm and it's been grand. I feel sorry for the bar staff," he said.
Gallivan added that many regular England supporters could not make the trip due to high costs. He criticised FIFA's management of the tournament, saying, "We could have brought so many more out here, but sadly they've been outpriced." He is already planning a similar gathering for England's next group game in Boston.
Warm Welcome from Texans
Gallivan also noted that England supporters had received a warm welcome from Texans. "Anywhere I go, as soon as I order, they go, 'Oh wait, where are you from? Britain? England?'. They're excited to have you here," he said. For Gallivan, the pre-match atmosphere is as important as the football itself. "That's literally what we come away for. To be honest, this is more to me than the actual match," he concluded.
