England supporters have arrived in large numbers in Boston ahead of the team’s second World Cup fixture against Ghana, but their presence has not generated the same warm local reception enjoyed by Scotland’s popular Tartan Army.
The Three Lions began their tournament with a commanding 4-2 victory over Croatia in Dallas, raising expectations among travelling fans. Since then, more than 14,000 supporters have made their way to Boston for the next group-stage match, with loud crowds gathering throughout the city’s downtown area.
At The White Bull Tavern in Downtown Boston, celebrations were said to have become unruly, prompting staff to shut the venue early after fans were reportedly seen climbing on furniture and hitting chandeliers. One employee said roughly 200 England fans packed into the bar on Monday night and described the atmosphere as “crazy,” suggesting other nearby venues could also close earlier than planned after the match.
Officers from the UK’s football policing unit were also spotted working alongside Boston Police Department personnel on Union Street, where about 20 officers formed a line outside as crowds of supporters moved into the road.
Local reaction was swift on social media. One user wrote on X: “Just met my first group of England fans in Boston. Some of the worst vibes I’ve ever encountered. Please do what you did in 1776 and evacuate xx.”
Another user, responding to footage of England fans singing anti-Scotland chants, posted: “Bad energy out of these absolute numpties. I think Scotland is akin to Boston and England is akin to New York. The arrogance. The looking down on. Zero class. Negative energy. While Scots are the opposite.”
England supporter Andy Milne, known online as “That World Cup Guy,” was among the thousands of fans celebrating in Boston on Monday night
A third added: ‘I went to Boston for Scotland v Haiti and it was fantastic. God love the England supporters, but this ain’t the way to win the hearts and minds.’
England supporters have undoubtedly been making themselves heard across the city. Hundreds gathered at venues including The Greatest Bar, where a sea of red-and-white shirts sang, danced and played with inflatable props despite heavy rain. Former England winger David Bentley even led fans in a rendition of Wonderwall.
Elsewhere, comic character and Sunday league football manager Steve Bracknall (real name Chris McClure) rallied supporters with chants of ‘we’re on our way’, reflecting belief in a deep tournament run.
It was always going to be tricky matching the popularity of their predecessors Scotland, who were in the city for both of their first group stage games against Haiti and Morocco – and left residents bemused by putting cones on the city’s statues.
According to social media, the Scotsmen who made the trip to the east coast have been a major hit with the American locals.
Hundreds of young women from Boston flooded to TikTok this week to share videos of them drinking, dancing and partying with the kilt-wearing Scots.
One woman even organised a dating event, and called on all Scots to visit a bar where 100 single US women were desperate to meet them.
Another lady, who posted a video of her in a Scotsman’s arms, wrote on the app: ‘I may not be happily married but at least I’m single while the Scottish are in town for the World Cup.’
A separate video, which racked up more than 70,000 likes, showed a fan carrying a woman on his back through the streets of Boston, with the caption reading: ‘If he won’t, a Scottish man will.’
While one more TikToker hailed the ‘kindness’ of the travelling Britons, urging American men to take notes. The woman said: ‘If I was a single girly living in Boston right now… you need to go by the bars. If you don’t go, you’re doing something wrong because you could find a nice Scottish man.
‘They seem very nice. They wanted to pet my dog. So I’m just saying, you should all go (to local bars).’
The boozy Scottish influx also delivered a major boost to Boston’s hospitality sector. The Greatest Bar reported its best trading week in 22 years, surpassing World Cup sales projections within days. According to CBS, the venue would normally expect a quieter period at this time of year.
READ MORE: Andy Burnham's Policies Poised to Benefit His Wife Financially
Meanwhile, bars have scrambled to keep up with demand. Brian McDonnell, manager of The Dubliner, said supplies were being replenished daily, with extra refrigeration units installed to cope with soaring beer consumption.
Tourist information centre Meet Boston reported that The Dubliner and The Haven alone served more than 300 kegs of Tennent’s.
Former England winger David Bentley leads the fans in song at The Greatest Bar in Boston
The Greatest Bar in Boston’s West End had stocked up on beer to cope with England fans
Videos posted to TikTok showed local woman hailing the Scotsmen for ‘restoring their faith in men’
One lady even organised a dating event encouraging Scots to go and meet ‘100 American’ women
For travelling England fans, the experience has come at a cost. The city has faced criticism over transport prices, with train fares rising to $80 (£60.40) from the usual $20 (£15.10). Parking near Gillette Stadium in nearby Foxborough has also proved expensive, with one supporter paying $180 (£135.89).
Still, many insist the trip is worth it.
Adam Parkinson, 32, from Barnsley, said: ‘It’s a once-in-a-lifetime type of thing, it’s England at a World Cup.
‘We saved up – we kind of had it in mind to come.
‘It’s one of them, right? You’ve just got to do it sometimes.’
For others based in the US, the tournament offers a rare chance to see England live. Rhys Thomas, 31, originally from Birmingham, said the Boston match would be his first.
‘This is actually the first England game I will have been to,’ he said.
‘I live in the States and now the World Cup is here, so I was just like ‘we’ve got to go’.’
Despite paying $490 (£370) for tickets, he admitted prices could have been far higher: ‘I had heard a lot worse… I was ready to probably pay thousands last second.’
Meanwhile back in the UK former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere, an iconic No. 7, and Landon Donovan, a famous No. 10, are teaming up with eBay in an auction where fans can bid for signed shirts.
On June 28 from 2.30pm in real time – alongside Icons Signed Sports Memorabilia – viewers can bid on signed shirts, trading cards and memorabilia tied to the greatest players to ever wear each number.
eBay has seen a huge spike in searches for retro England shirts during the World Cup. Searches for the famous Three Lions’ Italia’90 shirt worn by Paul Gascoigne has surged by 1060% with the 1966 winning top also popular.
A spokeswoman said: ‘Now is the perfect moment for Brits to both buy and sell on eBay – whether that’s cashing in on old/unworn pieces or sourcing the ultimate watch-party outfit.’
