A JERSEY quartet who are travelling to every England World Cup game are on their way to Atlanta after experiencing the heat, nerves and jubilation of Saturday’s victory over Norway in Miami.
Tony Rogers – who shared his story in the JEP last week after the Three Lions’ defeat of Mexico – is due to arrive in the Georgian state capital today with Jersey companions Dave Houzé, Paul Starkey and Paul Wilson, in time to watch the first semi-final between France and Spain on television.
Then tomorrow, they will join tens of thousands of other fans at the home of the Atlanta Falcons to watch England’s semi-final match against World Cup holders Argentina.
Reflecting on Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Norway, Mr Rogers said: “England were a bit more subdued in Miami and I don’t think they played very well, but they obviously managed to get over the line.
“Everyone kept believing and I thought we’d always have enough. When [Norway] scored, and you knew Haaland was on the pitch, then it was never going to be easy but the result went our way, thanks to Jude Bellingham.”
Mr Rogers said that the heat of Miami and the effort that had gone into the Mexico game clearly had had an impact on England.
He said: “It looked like a hard game, and I think it was; the players looked tired. It was hot in the stadium – it wasn’t just the sun pelting down but also the humidity. You start to sweat straightaway, so you can only imagine how tough it must have been down on the pitch.”
Mr Rogers said that the stadium was a fantastic venue … once they got there. He explained getting to and from the home of the Miami Dolphins had proved to be “a real pain” taking two hours either way because “basically it is in the middle of nowhere”.
However, he added that the atmosphere had been great, including lots of friendly conversations with opposing fans.
“Like the Mexicans had done after the game, the Norwegians wished us well and hoped that we would go all the way,” said Mr Rogers.
After the match – and the obligatory renditions of ‘Wonderwall’ and ‘Hey Jude’ – the Jersey travellers went to Miami’s Little Havana district to watch the Argentina v Switzerland quarter-final, where there were a lot of Argentinian fans.
“They seemed as nervous about playing us as we are nervous about playing them,” said Mr Rogers.
“That said, England always seem to rise to the occasion and with Wednesday’s game being indoors with air-conditioning, we’re all more confident that the conditions will be right.”
It is a return to Atlanta for the Jersey quartet, with them having watched England defeat Congo there on 1 July.
Mr Rogers said: “The good thing about Atlanta is that it is easy to get to the ground, which is within walking distance of the city.
“That’s quite handy because Uber has done rather well out of me on this trip so far.”
