Alfie Patterson, a 61-year-old lifelong football fan from Blyth, Northumberland, has turned his back garden into a mini fanzone to host a World Cup party for friends and family this weekend. The garden is decked out in red and white, with giant England flags covering every inch, including his pigeon loft.
Garden Transformation and Collection
Patterson has amassed a huge collection of football paraphernalia over 20-25 years, previously decorating the front of his house. This year, ahead of England's first World Cup match, he moved it all to the back garden, adding more in the run-up to the quarter-final against Norway on Saturday. He says, "It's got to the point that nothing more can be added."
The makeover was completed in three stages. Giant flags, including tributes to the late Sir Bobby Robson and images of his two grandsons and granddaughter, cover every surface. The decking and gate are painted like an England flag, and an array of football shirts are on display across the fence. Patterson owns every replica England tournament top from 1992 onwards, with players' heads placed above them, including captain Harry Kane. Garden gnomes wear England tops, and three lion statues are present.
Personal Story and Sunderland Support
Patterson, a forklift driver currently off sick with gout, says being off work has allowed him to watch more football. He has traditionally saved holidays around the Euros and World Cup. Despite being a lifelong Sunderland fan—the only one in his family—he is fully supporting England. He recalls how at age eight, his grandfather gave him a 1973 FA Cup Final plate commemorating Sunderland's 1-0 win over Leeds, signed by manager Bob Stokoe, which made him a Sunderland supporter. He still has that plate.
He also has great respect for Newcastle United legend Sir Bobby Robson, whom he met at Stuttgart airport during the 2006 World Cup. "He was absolutely brilliant; a lovely man," says Patterson, recalling how Robson chatted and signed shirts. "That was worth the trip itself."
Party Plans and Community Spirit
Patterson will host the party in his garden, bringing a TV outside for guests to watch from red-and-white deckchairs near a gazebo on a lawn marked like a pitch. He jokingly asks guests to 'register' for his 'Cowpen fanzone' to keep numbers down. The menu includes pizza and kebabs, with free water as he is not drinking alcohol due to gout. He hopes guests will dress in red and white.
Neighbours had asked where his front display had gone, but were shown the back garden for the big reveal. The decorations get everyone chatting, and he has a good relationship with his neighbours. The party is scheduled for the weekend fixture on a non-work day.
Patterson believes England's quarter-final against Norway will be a struggle, but he intends to put on a full show of support. He says, "I used to take all my holidays based around the Euros and World Cup." He watched England's triumph against Mexico in the early hours of Monday and thought they were "phenomenal."
