Lion-suited England fans joke about selling a kidney to reach World Cup final
The trio have been to every major tournament since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
A family of England fans who have worn lion costumes to every one of the Three Lions’ World Cup games have joked they may have to “sell a kidney” to afford tickets if the team reaches the final.
Glenn Hawkins, 61, from Cholsey, Oxfordshire, and his children Howard, 31, and Eve, 28, have become a familiar sight during the tournament – frequently appearing on the big screens inside the stadiums.
The trio, who have been to every major tournament since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, said the furry outfits have taken a battering in the summer heat, with England’s quarter-final in Miami proving particularly gruelling.
“They are just ponging slightly, but they’ll be out tomorrow in full force, for sure,” Eve told the Press Association while watching the semi-final between Spain and France at a bar in Atlanta.
“Miami was the hottest game.”
Her brother Howard added: “We had to drain them out after that – that was hot.
“But closed roof here – atmosphere will be good, we’ll be less hot and we’ll have more energy to give it out large I think.”
The family estimate they have already spent around £45,000 following England across North America.
“We’re currently £45,000 in,” Glenn said, before joking: “The house is up for sale, the divorce papers have been filed.”
Their journey has taken them around 40,000 kilometres so far, including trips to Mexico City, Monterrey, Dallas, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Cancun and Miami.
With a place in the final potentially meaning another expensive trip, Glenn admitted finances could determine whether they can continue.
“England’s journey is definitely going to continue,” he said.
“Whether ours stops here or continues is a question of finding the money – because that’s an extra £25,000.”
Howard joked that the family’s commitment to the lion suits deserved some reward.
“Let’s hope we sacrifice enough sweating in our lion outfits,” he said.
“Someone might come out and say, ‘have that on us’.”
The family have even appealed for help on social media in the hope of making the final – posting on their Instagram page titled “Follow the Lions”.
Eve said: “We put out a little post on our Instagram just shouting out because so many people have been loving it.
“The engagement’s good, so we thought, why not? Let’s just see if we can get us some final tickets.”
Glenn added: “I might have to sell a kidney.”
Howard concluded with a smile: “Someone help us out.”