21-hour train ride to World Cup opener 'not too bad', say England fans

Dedicated England fans have spent hours travelling to support their nation at the World Cup in Russia.

From multiple flights through several countries and overnight train journeys in cramped compartments to cycling from the UK, there has been no shortage of effort by the English support.

Among those who boarded a train to cover the 600 miles to Volgograd from Moscow were Stockport pair Angus Lawless and Luke Fern.

After a journey time of nearly 21 hours and no alcohol available, Mr Fern said: "I've got to say, it wasn't the greatest.

"It was a laugh, of sorts. There was a Charlton fan who was a freelance photographer and he was going up and down the train taking photos of all of us.

"But we were all looking terrible because of lack of sleep, it was boiling hot on there, no air con.
There weren't even any drink on there.

"You've got to do what you've got to do to get here, don't you."

Mr Lawless, 23, was a bit more cheery about the journey.

He said: "It wasn't too bad. It was long, don't get me wrong, but the beds were reasonably comfortable.
We had a nice little journey down.

"It's not the most interesting scenery but what can you expect? It's the middle of Russia."

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