England fan from Stoke spends £40,000 house deposit on World Cup trip
Jack Goodwin plans to watch the Three Lions with his father
An England fan has made headlines by spending his £40,000 house deposit on a trip to watch his team play in the World Cup.
Jack Goodwin, originally from Chichester but a Stoke City supporter, has organised a tour for himself and his father to witness England compete for the coveted trophy.
Goodwin has pre-booked hotels, flights, and tickets to every match England might play up to the final in New Jersey on 19th July.
Speaking to the Press Association, he described the journey as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
The 34-year-old shared his enthusiasm for the team’s performance, predicting England will triumph over the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their first knockout game in Atlanta.
He expressed particular excitement about the potential match against Mexico in Azteca Stadium, dubbing it "the dream game."
Despite some nail-biting moments, such as when England was held to a 0-0 draw by Panama, Goodwin kept faith in their chances, having secured tickets through the FIFA ballot.
Faced with pressure, his confidence paid off, and his tickets have remained valid.
Goodwin admitted to spending the equivalent of £4,000 on a ticket to the final, saying the tickets were at face value yet still expensive.
Nonetheless, saving for a house gave way to funding the World Cup trip, justified by not having any children or wife.
Meeting fellow fans who missed out on tickets, Goodwin acknowledged how lucky he felt being able to attend the matches.
As he travels from Dallas to Atlanta, he remains optimistic about England’s chances to bring the cup home.