England’s top supporter, Andy Milne, faced a flood of offers from the United States following a report by the Mirror that he intended to sell his house to finance his World Cup journey. However, the 63-year-old was presented with an irresistible offer of hotel accommodations before and after England’s matches for the entire tournament. This former teacher is poised to gain recognition on both sides of the Atlantic when the World Cup commences on June 11.
Milne is set to feature in a Hilton hotel chain advertisement alongside England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, former star Ray Parlour, and Lioness Legend Jill Scott. He and his best friend will stay at Hilton hotels near the tournament venues, with Milne showcasing the liquid-resistant ‘Three Lidls’ shirt in television commercials, reaching millions of viewers.
In a bid to fund his trip, Andy listed his second home in Northwich, Cheshire, for £350,000. The estimated cost of hotel stays amounting to £35,000 covers both friendly matches in Florida and the entire 39-day World Cup event.
The generosity of Hilton has saved Milne a substantial sum. Following the Mirror’s coverage, he also received sponsorship offers from prominent brands like Sports Direct, Lidl, as well as several eateries and bars in the US, including a cryptocurrency company and a casino.
Dubbed ‘World Cup Guy’ after being spotted carrying a replica trophy in Qatar, Andy expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he received, particularly from the people in Dallas who offered accommodation and dining options. Hilton’s offer of hotel stays and his involvement in a TV commercial further solidified his journey experience.
After the tournament, Andy plans to travel to Australia with his wife to meet his daughter, who is expecting their first grandchild. If England emerges victorious, he intends to update his newly-published memoir, ‘World Cup Guy,’ to document the pinnacle of his lifelong devotion to the national team.
Andy gained recognition during the Qatar tournament for his celebratory pose with a replica Jules Rimet trophy, which attracted global admiration after England’s triumph over Senegal in the round of 16 was captured by the Mirror.
Stijn Bastiaens, Hilton’s Vice President of Marketing and Loyalty for EMEA, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting England’s fans and players. Hilton’s provision of top-notch accommodations for Andy ensures he is well-prepared to cheer on his team during his 10th World Cup. Additionally, Andy will feature in Hilton’s upcoming campaign alongside his football idols.
Andy’s book, “That World Cup Guy,” is currently available for purchase.
