England fan blows 10K home deposit on taking grandad on dream World Cup journey
A generous England fan has ripped up plans to spend his savings on a house deposit, and blown the £10,000 on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the World Cup with his grandad instead
The pair are set to touch down in the US today(Image: Jacob Allmendinger / SWNS)
A keen footie fan has sacrificed the £10,000 he saved up for a house deposit to spend it on taking his grandad on a dream World Cup trip. Jacob Allmendinger, 21, says he has “no regrets” spending his life savings on the trip of a lifetime with grandad Geoff Golliker, 80.
He saved for five years with the dream of one day owning a home. But he decided to delay getting on the property ladder and is due to fly out to the US with his grandad later this week.
He said: “I can always make money back, I’m at the age where I can afford to miss out on a house for two or three years. But I won’t ever get to go to the World Cup with my grandad again.”
The fooie-mad pair, from North Ferriby near Hull, East Yorks., are due to fly out on Friday and are planning a whirlwind tour of North America centred around England’s World Cup campaign.
The pair will watch England’s clash with Panama and hope to follow the Three Lions through the tournament should they progress.
Jacob, who started following Hull City with Geoff as a youngster, said football has become even more important to them since he lost his grandmother in 2020.
He said: “Since my grandma passed, football has been very important for our relationship. It has definitely strengthened our relationship. Inviting my grandad was a no-brainer. He agreed straight away.”
The devoted grandson said the pair’s bond goes far beyond football, saying, “We get on like a house on fire. We’re more best mates than grandad and grandson.”
The pair regularly follow Hull City home and away and were among the fans at Wembley when the Tigers secured promotion to the Premier League.
He said: “I started booking the World Cup trip a year ago because it’s quite complex, it’s surreal to think it’s just days away now.”
Their itinerary will see them fly into New York before heading to Philadelphia, Atlanta, Mexico City, Miami and back to New York as they chase England around the continent.
But Jacob insisted the sport itself is only part of the adventure. He said: “Football is only five per cent of the overall trip, I’m looking forward to travelling round North America together.
“If England win it would mean the absolute world. I’m always very confident we’ll win, and my grandad says he’s quietly confident too.”
Retired Geoff, who worked in insurance, described the invitation as an “instant yes” and said he is becoming more excited by the day. He said: “As we get closer and closer, I am really excited. Adrenaline is starting to build and I’m really looking forward to it.”
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