English fan David Bayley (left), my brother Phil Spitzer (right)
British Fan Nickname: OHs – Original Hooligans
Fan Name: David Bayley
Age: 27
Temperament: Happily belligerent
Hometown: Essex, England, cheers for West Ham FC.
Favorite Player: Steven Gerrard
World Cup Drink of Choice: “Three cans of Skol beer for five Real. Best bang for your buck around here. At home I like a tesco, for the same reason: it’s cheap and doesn’t taste too much like piss.”
Drinking Level: College Student – looking for a cheap and efficient buzz, taste be damned.
Motivation for coming to the World Cup: “It’s soccer and it’s Brazil. You can’t ask for a better combination.” What a sensible Brit.
Thoughts on Brazil: “Yeah, it’s quite good.”
Least Favorite Team: Italy. Makes sense.
Predicted Winner: “Brazil – they’ve got superstar talent, home field advantage and the refs seem to be on their side. And the country will go mental if they do – the good kind of mental. I’d love to be here for that.” You and me both, my friend.
My Take: The Brits came to Brazil because they love the game and they want to have a good time. Young and old alike are among the first fans to claim front row seats in bars and fan camps for each and every game of the day, beer in hand regardless of the time/setting/type of beer. They’re contentious when challenged but quick to make amends over a hearty cheers. They’re known to start rousing street chants of, “Eng-a-land, Eng-a-land, Eng-a-land” ironically to the tune of John Philip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever, and you’d be wise to join along due in equal part to their pugnacious attitude and infectious enthusiasm.
