'Worth every penny', say England fans at World Cup

Image source, Danny Williams Image caption, Danny Williams and Joe Gallagher have been flying the flag for Scarborough By Steve Jones Yorkshire Published 3 hours ago "It's brilliant, everybody is here for a party and it's exactly that." England fans at the World Cup to roar on the Three Lions have hailed their "once-in-a-lifetime" experience in the US as they backed Thomas Tuchel's men to bring football home. England, who are through to the knockout stages, beat Panama 2-0 on Saturday, with football fans from across Yorkshire among the thousands in New Jersey to cheer on the team. "Everywhere we go everybody has got a smile on their face. Everybody's interacting with fans from all over the world, which is exactly what the World Cup is all about," says John Hemmingham, a Sheffield Wednesday fan and leader of the England Band. "Everybody is so welcoming and the atmosphere is brilliant," adds the 63-year-old from Hillsborough. "You can be talking to a Moroccan fan one minute then a Ghana fan and an Ecuador fan. "Everybody is on the same page." The trumpeter, who has not missed a competitive Three Lions match for 30 years, declares he is "staying here until England win it". "It's brilliant, everybody is here for a party and it's exactly that." Image source, John Hemmingham Image caption, John, left, pictured with some members of the England band, has been to eight World Cups Scarborough-based Danny Williams and Joe Gallagher have proved to be popular members of Tuchel's travelling army in Dallas and Boston, where England played their opening two group games, thanks largely to their flag showcasing the best of the popular North Yorkshire seaside resort. "It's had a good reception," says Williams, 34. The pair say they have loved their time flying the flag for home and cheering on the national team, with Gallagher, 35, admitting: "Our only regret is not staying for longer." "We have all been taken in so well." Despite question marks about the level of interest in the tournament among North Americans, as well as a potential hostility towards certain countries, Williams, a highways worker for North Yorkshire Council, says the locals have been "friendly and definitely up for the banter". "America is beautiful, we have had half-decent results and everything has been amazing," he adds. The pair, who follow the Three Lions regularly, admit they would love to attend the final, but cannot justify the £3,000 they have each been quoted for a ticket. "You could take the whole family to Barbados for that price," says Gallagher, who works as a police officer in North Yorkshire. Image source, Ben Wade Image caption, Barnsley fan Ben Wade (centre) says his experience has been "once-in-a-lifetime" The price of tickets, travel and refreshments inside stadiums has been a talking point off the pitch, with Barnsley fan Ben Wade now back on home soil and feeling the pinch of his first World Cup. "It took me a few days to check the bank balance," the 21-year-old from Wakef