SUPERFAN Brian Wright has travelled all over the world to witness the highs and lows of following England at every World Cup and European Championship since 1988.
And this year is not different with the 44-year-old father of two flying out to Brazil to witness another disappointing campaign for Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions.
The Sky Blues fan has written a special World Cup diary for the Observer detailing his Brazilian adventures and in the second special account he gives us an insight into his time spent in Belo Horizonte for the final group match against Costa Rica.
“Our World Cup dream is over. Well it was over after six days really – in fact my Malaria tablets I had to take lasted longer!
As usual an amazing trip with the 90 mins being the worst part.
“Belo Horizonte has been like all the other host cities – very welcoming to England fans.
“The weather was warmer and the sun was shinning, it was just what you expected in Brazil.
“I watched the Brazil game in the Fan fest with thousands of screaming Brazilians on Monday night before heading to the game on Tuesday.
“Our spirits were very high before the match considering we were already out and we got behind our boys and had a good day.
“The game wasn’t great but with so many changes and it being a dead rubber it was always going to be hard.
“After we left the ground slowly and made our way out having a good sing-song while trying to take it all in.
“Then it was back to the fan park for a party liked we’d qualified until the early hours of the morning.
“We maybe going home but Brazil enjoyed having us at their party.
“The future looks bright with all the young players coming through. I whisper it quietly but roll on 2018 because we still believe!”
As for his take on the 2-1 defeat against Uruguay last Thursday, Brian added: “The team really let the country down.
“Our defending was poor. It looks like a mistake leaving Ashley Cole at home now and starting Jordan Henderson instead of the more gifted Ross Barkley.
“We got behind the boys and tried to sing them on to victory but we didn’t perform and it looked like we froze.
“Sao Paulo is a big rubbish tip and not like Manaus at all.
“The people are friendly enough but it’s not somewhere I can ever see myself visiting again.”
Brian meets Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara. (s)
