World Cup 2018: Supporter misses England's biggest-ever World Cup win after forgetting his ticket
One hapless England supporter missed England’s biggest-ever World Cup win against Panama after travelling all the way to Nizhny Novgorod without his match ticket.
Douglas Moreton made the 2,000-mile journey from his native Bristol to western Russia with plans to attend the game on Sunday, but realised after landing that he had left his tickets in a drawer.
ITV News editor Dan Howells met Moreton in Nizhny Novgorod and launched a Twitter appeal on the stricken fan’s behalf to try and secure him another ticket for the game.
"This is Douglas,” he wrote alongside a picture of Moreton. “He was at our hotel in Volgograd. We've just bumped into him in Nizhny Novgorod & he's realised he's left his match tickets in the drawer at home in Bristol.
"If anyone's got a spare on let me know.”
The appeal worked and Howells managed to acquire a spare ticket, but the journalist was then unable to track down Moreton in time to give it to him ahead of the match.
“DOUGLAS UPDATE: The lads from @sport_options have found him a ticket but now we can’t find him,” Howells added. “If anyone spots him, tell him I’ve left a message at his hotel reception.”
This is Douglas. He was at our hotel in Volgograd. We’ve just bumped in to him in Nizhny Novgorod & he’s realised he’s left his match tickets in the drawer at home in Bristol. If anyone’s got a spare one let me know. #EngPan pic.twitter.com/4zDA5aNvZa
— Dan H🦉🦉 (@dan_howells)
He later told his followers: “I’m afraid [Moreton] only got back to his hotel 40 mins before kick-off. Couldn’t get to the stadium in time to pick the ticket up.”
Moreton picked the wrong game to miss, as England routed Panama 6-1 courtesy of a Harry Kane hat-trick, two goals from John Stones and a spectacular strike from Jesse Lingard.