The Agyeman family, spanning Yorkshire, Mexico and Massachusetts, embody the spirit of England's Three Lions supporters at the World Cup. Jon Agyeman, 66, a retired lecturer and Derby County fan from North Yorkshire; his brother Julian, 67, a Hull City fan and university professor near Boston; and Jon's son Louis, 27, a teacher in Merida, Mexico, are reuniting in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to watch England face Ghana.
Family roots and national pride
Jon Agyeman said: “Our dad was Ghanaian and Julian and I both grew up in Hull. This is my first England World Cup match abroad. I’m English. I’m very proud to be English. When I hear the national anthem I still get goosebumps. I remember being five years old and hearing the anthem for the first time and asking my mum what it was and she explained the significance of it. I will get the same goosebumps on Tuesday when I sing it in the stadium. And I will remember back to that moment when I was five years old.”
Jon, who lives in Staithes, North Yorkshire, with his partner, respected campaigner Dame Jasvinder Sanghera, added: “It’s going to be a very special day.”
Reunion in Boston
Julian moved to the US in 1999 and is a Professor in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University. Jon said: “We couldn’t believe it when the draw was made – England playing Ghana in Boston where my brother lives and our father being Ghanaian was just amazing. I’ve flown in from Mexico where I work now. The three of us are going to the game together. We feel very lucky to have tickets.”
The trio met at the Phoenix Landing bar on Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, watching Belgium v Iran. Julian laughed: “This is my local bar – I live round the corner but tomorrow I’m actually going to the game with my brother and my nephew. I can’t wait.”
Other fans join the journey
Jo Lewis, 44, and boyfriend Gary Taylor, 64, from Harold Wood, Essex, are also in Boston for the match, spending weeks crossing the US and Mexico supporting Thomas Tuchel’s team. Jo, who works in logistics for an oil and gas company, said: “The support from England fans has been incredible. The noise and atmosphere inside the Dallas stadium last week was brilliant. I’m sure it will be the same tomorrow in Boston.” Gary, an estate agent, added: “We can beat Ghana and we can go on and top the group. We’ve met so many nice people and the support has been great.”
Scottish fans depart
As England fans arrive in Boston, thousands of Scots are leaving the city for their last game against Brazil in Miami. There has been a friendly crossover, with supporters drinking in the same pubs and swapping travel tips. At the Elephant and Castle pub, England fans sat under a poster of Benjamin Franklin, who allegedly said: “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” John Gordon, 59, from Hull, said: “He certainly got that right. The Scots drank Boston dry last week and I’m sure we will do the same this week!”
