‘I’ve been chased out of pubs’: What it’s like to be an England fan in Scotland Michael Clayton, 40, is originally from Birmingham. Despite living in Scotland for almost 20 years, he describes himself as an […]

Michael Clayton, 40, is originally from Birmingham. Despite living in Scotland for almost 20 years, he describes himself as an England football fan “through and through”.

“The penalties against Columbia were pretty stressful, pretty nerve racking, obviously trying to get the monkey off our backs. As soon as we missed one we were thinking ‘Here we go again’,” he says.

“There have been times when I wouldn’t go out to watch a game” The i newsletter latest news and analysis Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

“There were a few guys in the pub who weren’t thinking the same way, but that’s par for the course when you’re cheering for England up here.

“I’m lucky enough that most of my friends are relatively sensible with their views and opinions on it all, but you still get quite a lot of grief and anti-English sentiment, ABE [Anyone But England] and all that.

“It can be quite hard. It just never goes away. Fifteen or 20 years ago it was more hardcore, but still now – I got in a taxi the other day and the first thing that came out of the driver’s mouth was ‘I cannae wait for England to get knocked out’.”

One-way rivalry

Mr Clayton, who now lives in Edinburgh and runs a care company which helps disabled children and adults, continued: “It’s that old attitude that never changes. It kind of annoys you, because from an England perspective we don’t care what Scotland do. It seems to be a one-way rivalry in that sense.

“Sometimes it can get out of hand, there’s no doubt about it. I’ve been in a few dodgy situations with people, it can get quite hostile as the game goes on and a few beers get consumed.

“It’s still quite rife up here. The majority of Scots fans will pretty much support whoever’s playing us. I’ve had countless debates with people about it, it gets a bit boring. It’s that old ingrained view.

“I get it from the historical points and the political points, but it’s a game of bloody football for Christ’s sake.

“There have been times when I wouldn’t go out to watch a game. Years ago I had people come around to my house and shout things through my letterbox.

“I was watching the game in my flat and England scored, so I jumped up and shouted and the next thing there were six or seven kids at my door. I’ve been chased out of pubs before too.

“I suppose I should add that I don’t shy away from it – if people are going to give me grief I give it back, although not in a violent way. If Scotland are playing I’ll always support them as well, as long as they’re not playing us.

“I’ll be out with six or seven different folk for the game against Sweden, some will be Scottish and some English. We’ll see how it goes.”