Southport World Cup fan builds stadium in garden

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A football fan on Merseyside has built a 50-seater stadium in his back garden to watch the World Cup, complete with its own players' tunnel and burger van.

Tim Marsters has even decked out his makeshift stadium with a bar and turnstiles to make his football viewing more like being at the game.

The 28-year-old, who lives in Birkdale, has fitted an 8ft by 4ft (2.4m by 1.2m) projector screen by the pitch.

"We were a full house for the England v USA game, all bums on seats," he said.

The loft converter, who runs his own business, employed three of his friends to help build the stadium, which they completed in a week.

'Bit quirky'

"It's just for my family and friends, they really love it, I have my little cousins, nieces and nephews over and they get to play on the pitch before the game starts.

"Then we all get settled in and ready for the kick-off. We even use a special sunscreen if it is too bright to maximise the viewing potential."

The seats and the stand are covered in England flags and he has even painted the pitch markings on his garden.

"It's not a money-making venture, of course I don't charge people to come and watch but it is just for family and friends.

"I don't want people trying to come in who don't even know us but just want to sit somewhere a bit quirky - it's not about that."