Garford Beck has followed England for 54 years, attending hundreds of games across nine World Cups, but says FIFA’s rising ticket costs threaten to exclude loyal fans.
Garford Beck caught the football fever 54 years ago and has since joined an exclusive club of England superfans.
Beck, 63, made his supporter debut at an England match back in 1972 when he was just nine years old, watching the under-23s take on Scotland at his cherished Derby County ground.
That matchday programme remains a treasured piece in his vast collection of memorabilia from a journey that’s seen him witness nine World Cups, countless England fixtures, and earned him recognition as one of the England Supporters’ Travel Club’s most dedicated “top cappers.”
Beck counts himself amongst the fortunate few this summer, having clocked up sufficient matches to secure the bargain £45 Supporter Entry tickets, which he’s banking on to see him through from the Group stages right to the final showdown.
Following your nation through a major tournament remains a massive commitment for any supporter, yet Beck reckons Thomas Tuchel could deliver an unforgettable summer for England’s travelling army.
Beck remarked: “I think they’ll go deep into the competition. I think the conditions won’t help.”
Voicing his concerns about player fatigue, he added: “A lot of our players won’t have a break, and I worry about that with so many games and then the players all in high-pressure games in the Premier League and Champions League. But we’ve definitely got a chance to go a long way.”
Beck has set aside at least £12,000 for the adventure – and that was before FIFA revealed their discounted ticketing scheme for certain supporters – managing to keep costs down by splitting minivan expenses, crashing the occasional night with a niece stateside, and opting for no-frills accommodation.
World Cup ticket price problem
The sky-high ticket prices for the World Cup have sparked a storm of controversy – with the cheapest standard ticket for the final initially pegged at £3,000 – yet it’s always the die-hard fans who truly ignite the atmosphere and set the mood at any World Cup.
Ignoring these devoted supporters would be a colossal blunder, as they’re the lifeblood of the game, bringing a splash of colour and energy. Beck, however, is more irked that the Football Association hasn’t spoken up or better managed the ticket distribution.
Beck voiced his frustration: “I’ve qualified for them, but there’s not enough of them. I’ve had sleepless nights, teetering, worrying about getting there.
“I’ve got many misgivings about this World Cup. It’s the ticketing really.”
He expressed his disappointment, saying: “It feels disappointing to me because I always think the best World Cups are the ones with the best atmospheres. The England fans created a great atmosphere at the last Euros last year [2024], but many of them ain’t gonna be in America.”
How to become an England “top capper”
Beck’s path to becoming a “top capper” has taken him on quite a journey. His first World Cup was Spain 1982, he gave Mexico 86 a miss due to the distance, but has attended every one that England have qualified for since.
Yet, the 1970 tournament still lingers fresh in his memory, perhaps setting the stage for a lifetime of heartache and letdowns.
“I’ve cried after a few football matches in my time,” he confesses. “I was only four in 1966 and then eight in 1970, with that single Back Home and my World Cup coin collection… I just assumed England were going to win the World Cup.
“I remember being sat at my grandmother’s house on that Sunday in June watching the quarter-final against West Germany. And then we went into a 2-0 lead. And there we go. There we go [England lost 3-2 after extra-time].
“When they lost that I just burst out crying. I didn’t cry again until 1976 when Derby lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final.”
His debut England fixture was that under-23s match – England drew 2-2 with a star-studded Scotland side featuring Kenny Dalglish and others – and he has tracked as many youth levels, divisions and the senior squad whenever feasible.
He maintains he cannot specify an exact number of senior matches he has attended, but reckons it must be in the hundreds, given England only reached their 1,000th international in 2019.
Beck, who is employed by Border Force, missed fixtures during Covid but managed, alongside other mates, to purchase an executive box which they could utilise within the lockdown restrictions.
He also regards England’s two warm-up friendlies in Florida as arguably more crucial than the tournament proper.
“I have to go to the friendlies because that keeps you in the top caps,” he explained. “The tournament games don’t count towards it. The friendlies are not a vanity thing. You just have to go.”
Beck, who also manages the England supporters’ team, organises matches against their respective opponents and carries out commendable initiatives, such as last year’s match in honour of esteemed journalist Patrick Barclay.
He relishes these games, the travel, and the camaraderie. “I’m long past when football results dictate my mood,” he admitted.
“But with England, it’s about the fans’ matches, the trips and the games. I get behind the team, I want to watch and sing the national anthem.”
His favourite World Cup might not be what you’d expect. “I liked Qatar because it was a one-city World Cup. The atmosphere was really good and it was a great tournament.
“One of the things I don’t like about tournaments is that it becomes quiet when loads of fans have gone home. But it was good in Qatar. The travel was easy, we had a big villa and it was busy until the end.
“I really enjoyed Russia for the travel. They laid on free supporter trains. We did an 18-hour train each way from Moscow to the quarter-final.
“What a great time we had. And not only that, we saw a lot of the countryside and you did have long stops at various places on along the route.” However, his commitment to the cause has led to some personal disappointments. “Well, probably relationships is probably the biggest thing.
“There’s lot of girls who follow England, but one of them being my girlfriend would have been ideal really. Find a football-loving girl that goes to the game.
“Especially when you end up decorating your place with a few trophies, bowls and pennants. That sort of thing.
“I actually had a girlfriend who did come out with the classic line: ‘You love England more than you love me.’ Well, how can I respond? ‘I love Scotland more than I love you!’ Anyway, that’s when I was reaching into my pocket for the red card!”
2026 World Cup travel tips on a budget
- Plan – get a map out: “Research your options and plan on how to get there and then also your internal options as well.”
- Make friends: “Buddy up with people. It’s a lot cheaper to rent Airbnbs with other people. In Qatar, we got a couple of villas and had no problem filling them.”
- Football Supporters’ Association: “They always publish a guide which is really, really helpful. They look after the best interests of the England supporters. You can find free travel. Do things on a budget. Look for their helplines, publications and social media platforms.”
- Don’t panic: “Sometimes flights, hotels and trips become available. Whether it’s a friendly or a tournament, as soon as it’s all announced, prices go like that and go up… but eventually they start coming down.”
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Best person met
“I met Archbishop Desmond Tutu by accident. Really. We planned a visit to a local school in Cape Town on the day of the Algeria game in South Africa. We’d arranged to meet outside the governor’s mansion and the cathedral was next door.
“I needed to use the loo, the cafe owner directed me to the cathedral and I saw this guy and as he got closer… I realised who it was. I got a picture and an autograph. It was quite special. My memories are about meeting people, making friends and playing matches.
“I was lucky to meet Pele, too. I was on duty when he came through Heathrow. I was stunned for a moment, the realisation it was Pele and I was so overcome. I kissed his hand, but he was really nice. I was on cloud nine for the rest of the day.”
Biggest disappointment
“Brazil was a disappointment. We were out after two games. You’ve got to go some to be knocked out at all after two games. But Roy Hodgson achieved it. But you know what? Roy was a gentleman.”
The England managers
“I liked Gareth Southgate because he did reconnect with the fans. I really liked Terry Venables and Bobby Robson came good. But when Gareth said going to Qatar was more than just the football… someone rightly said it’s ONLY about the football.”