Leeds United fan believed to have gone missing on way to World Cup found safe and well
Michael Hewitt has been found safe and well in Barcelona - after losing his phone and plane tickets
An England fan believed to have gone missing on the way to Boston for the World Cup has been found safe and well in Barcelona.
Michael Hewitt’s brother said he left Leeds on June 20 intending to travel to the USA via Barcelona.
His family became worried after learning that he never made it to Boston, and having not heard from him since June 21.
On Wednesday they were relieved to learn that the 65-year-old, well known to many as Leeds United superfan “Little Mick”, had been found “pottering around” in Barcelona.
His brother Gary Hewitt told the Press Association he had lost his phone soon after arriving in Barcelona and was “blissfully unaware” of the desperate appeals to find him.
Gary said: “Because he still had his wallet and passport he saw no reason to go to the Embassy or to let us know.
“He’s just been pottering about in Barcelona. It turns out he was only going to fly to Boston if he got a ticket (for one of the matches) lined up, which he hasn’t.”
He told PA his brother was “in his own world,” adding: “His life “revolves around football, everything else is peripheral.”
“When I said I could book him a flight, his first response was ‘well the England match is on today’. He’s still expecting his rescue to be moved around the England match,” Gary said.
He said that while the past few days have been stressful for the family, it had been heartwarming reading messages from many well-wishers about his brother.
“I told him: ‘When you get home, make yourself a cuppa and read through the messages on Facebook.’
“Not many people get those messages about how much you mean to somebody.
“Over the last few days it’s been horrendous but lovely seeing the heartfelt stuff.
“Mick’s in the rare position of finding out what people truly think about him while he’s still alive.”