THE burgers are bigger and the sun is hotter but there are plenty of Barnsley fans making sure that the US feels just like home this summer.
The Reds have a strong travelling contingent in the States for the World Cup - and they’re hoping to see Barnsley boy John Stones lift the trophy for England next month.
With temperatures often topping 30 degrees, this World Cup may seem a million miles away from a freezing Tuesday night at Oakwell - but there are plenty of Barnsley fans bringing the South Yorkshire style to the States.
Roy Barron, 65, originally from Monk Bretton and his friend, 67-year-old Peter Frostick from Athersley North, follow England home and away and Roy has now finally seen his team play at the World Cup.
Roy’s already enjoying the atmosphere and, having watched the first two group games and the two pre-tournament friendlies, it’s looking increasingly likely that he’ll be prolonging his stay in the US for a little bit longer.
He told the Chronicle: “We flew out here on June 14 and we’re going to be here until June 29.
“It’s my first World Cup and I’ve absolutely loved it.
“Peter has been to a few of them but this is my first.
“We said that we were just going to stay out here for the group games but I’ve managed to get tickets for the Round of 16 so if we get there we might have to fly back to Mexico.”
Despite the soaring heat, Roy says he’s enjoyed every minute of the tournament - especially mingling with the supporters of other nations.
“The heat has been unbearable,” he said.
“But it’s been fantastic to be with the other fans - even the Scottish.
“I’ve seen absolutely no trouble whatsoever.
“I’ve had photos with Senegal fans and everyone has a chat - it’s a real party atmosphere.”
One of the main talking points of this tournament has been the cost - with some fans paying upwards of £1,000 for tickets to matches.
Thankfully Roy and Peter are well prepared.
“It cost us £600 for the flights to New York and then accommodation - which is the big one - has cost us £1,500.
“We’re both regular England fans so we’ve managed to get all the tickets for $60 each.
“We follow England home and away so we’ve got cheaper tickets.
“We also follow Barnsley home and away.”
And despite Thomas Tuchel’s men having a strong start - he’s not overly confident about the chances of football finally coming home.
“If we top the group then it’s looking like Brazil, Argentina and Spain that we have to face,” he added.
“I don’t like our chances.”
Roy decided this World Cup was a must for him after he was diagnosed with cancer.
“I wouldn’t have normally come to the World Cup but I was diagnosed with throat cancer two years ago,” he said.
“I’m doing better now but I thought that I may never get another chance.
“It gave me a kick up the backside to do it.”
Royston man Luke Buxton has been to the last four tournaments with England.
He’s described it as an ‘unbelievable experience’ and has already bought a ticket to the final - and it’s cost a pretty penny.
He told the Chronicle: “I’ve been to the last four tournaments - Euro 2020, the World Cup in Qatar, Euro 2024 in Germany and now the World Cup on America.
“The plans for this summer have been to go out for the first group stage match which we’ve done and then fingers crossed - as long as we get there - to go back out for the quarter final stage onwards.
“It’s been unbelievable - the locals have been fantastic with the England supporters.
“The Americans love it - they’re all chanting and it’s really friendly.
“The cost of it is no joke.
“Between myself and my group of friends we’ve managed to get the cost down a bit but we’ve had to go our of our way.
“The tickets were £300 for a group stage match and for the final, subject to England getting there, I’ve had to pay $4,200.
“That’s the cheapest category available.
“We’ve had to pay all this money up front in February.
“If it would have cost £10,000 I’d have paid it but that’s the situation we’re in.
“But I don’t think it’s fair to be gouging the fans in that way.
“They should want the loyalist supporters of the countries in the stadiums.”
David Ward has also been out to the States - but it’s certainly not his first rodeo.
David, who has been a season ticket holder at Oakwell for over 40 years, said: “I did my first England game against Albania in 1989 for a World Cup qualifier when Gazza scored.
“I did the three group games at Euro 96 and then I picked up England properly again at the 2006 World Cup.
“I’ve been to every World Cup and Euros since then.
“I’ve just spent the weekend at Niagara Falls in between the games in Dallas and Boston.
“I’m travelling back for the Round of 16 games with my mates.”
