Meet the superfan: why a house is on the market
Andy Milne is a 62-year-old retired teacher who has become a well-known figure among England supporters. He now plans to sell his second home in northern England to raise £350,000. The money will pay for an extended World Cup trip across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
What he has already done for England
Milne lives in Thailand and is often spotted carrying a replica World Cup trophy. He has attended eight men’s World Cups and the 2023 Women’s World Cup. He says he wants this tournament to be his tenth time following England at a World Cup.
Why sell now?
He told a newspaper that the property has been a second home for 27 years and that it felt like the right time to cash in. His clear priority is to watch the whole tournament in person, which means long stays and a lot of travel.
Planned itinerary
- He will travel to the United States on June 3 and expects to stay for about seven weeks.
- England vs Croatia in Dallas on June 17.
- England vs Ghana in Foxborough, Massachusetts on June 23.
- England vs Panama in New Jersey on June 27, which would finish the group stage for him.
Costs and the wider ticket controversy
Following a tournament that spans three countries means significant travel costs on top of match tickets. Fans and supporter groups have criticized the governing body for ticket pricing. In December, fan groups described the situation as a "monumental betrayal", pointing out that general sale ticket prices ranged from about $140 for cheaper group games up to $8,680 for a final. In response to backlash, the organiser later released some seats priced at about $60.
For Milne the math is simple. He is selling a long-held second home to fund one long, expensive, and very personal project: seeing England play across a continent. It is a big decision and a clear statement about what matters to him.
