England fans took over Boston on Monday night, drinking the city nearly dry ahead of their crucial World Cup match against Ghana. Police cleared bars by 10pm, but no arrests were reported. Tongue-in-cheek banter with Scotland fans, also in the area for their match against Brazil, added to the festive atmosphere.
Police lock down pubs as fans hit streets
Videos on social media showed Boston police outside pubs like The Dubliner, a hub for the Tartan Army, as England fans streamed out. Paul Brown shared a video claiming police 'locked down the majority of the pubs' where English fans were drinking at 10pm Monday. Pubs had reportedly ordered extra fridges to prepare for the British influx.
Jeremy Clarkson gives away free tickets
Jeremy Clarkson gave away two free tickets ahead of the match. He told The Sun: 'I didn't fancy getting soaked at my first England World Cup game so I decided to treat someone without tickets. I offered them first-come-first served to any England fans in Boston and they went almost immediately to two lads who couldn't believe their luck. It was great to treat them and I hope they're enjoying Boston as much as I am. The atmosphere has been terrific. I got chatting to them and found out they're from Selby in Yorkshire about eight miles from where I was born so that's a bonus.'
Fans confident in England's chances
A dad and his two children who have spent £30,000 following England believe 'something special' is brewing. Glenn Hawkins, 61, from Cholsey, travelled with son Howard, 31, and daughter Eve, 28—all dressed as lions. Glenn predicted a two-goal win, Eve agreed, and Howard said: 'Three for me – Harry Kane double, Rashford another one.' Glenn added: 'I would say so, yeah. They're under a good manager – good players, good system, good manager.' Howard said: 'The first game really got it going – it went back home, big. There's something special happening for sure.'
Costly trip for die-hard fans
The Oxfordshire trio have followed England to every major tournament since Brazil 2014. Their trip started in Mexico City, then Monterrey, Dallas, Philadelphia, and now Boston. Glenn joked: 'Don't, because the wife's watching. I paid for three, and I'm already £30,000 deep.' Eve noted: 'Ninety-seven dollars (£73) it just cost me for six cans of Stella.' Howard added: 'It is what it is and we love it.'
Another family predicts heavy win
Andy Chard, in his 60s from Stevenage, predicted: 'We've got a good chance, I think 4- or 5-1, something like that. I think they'll score, but I think we'll beat them pretty heavily. It's English weather.' He was joined by Tim Chard, 39, from Sheffield, who said: 'We've already bet money on it. Forty to 50 dollars, we're not that die-hard.' The pair paid around 600 dollars (£453) for tickets at Gillette Stadium via the FIFA site. Andy added: 'I'm not so sure about the defence, though. I think they're a bit dodgy every now and then – but we've got enough firepower to overcome that. They're just more purposeful and want to go forward.'
Optimism builds after opening win
England kicked off with a thrilling 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas. More than 14,000 fans are expected to descend on Massachusetts for the Ghana game, despite soaring ticket prices, travel costs, and parking fees.
