FOOTBALL’S Women’s World Cup has kicked off in Australia and look who’s turned up – Northwich’s Steve McLaren look-a-like Andy Milne.
The former Grange School biology teacher from Barnton has attended eight tournaments across the world over the past 40 years and become affectionately known as ‘that World Cup guy’ as well as a doppelganger for the former England men’s team manager.
Now the 60-year-old has rocked up at his first FIFA Women’s World Cup to cheer on the Lionnesses and it has brought about a family reunion too.
Tourism Australia has welcomed the sporting superfan with open arms as he makes his Aussie debut, made even more special with his daughter, Laila, who is currently living in Sydney on a working holiday, by his side.
The Manchester United fan’s face is widely known around the world and he went viral during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to his passionate support and likeness to McLaren.
So after landing Down Under he has been coveted by autograph hunters and shared selfies with fellow World Cup fans as he was spotted near Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge, where he met up with footy-mad TikToker and ex-footballer Samantha Miller.
Milne has cheered England on at every men’s World Cup since Spain 1982, when he was a 19-year-old chemistry student at the University of Manchester.
But he has long been an advocate for women’s sports.
During his tenure, he helped to establish the girls football team at The Grange School, Hartford, ensuring his daughter Laila could participate.
“My favourite thing about the World Cup is meeting new people in new places and there’s no place more welcoming than Australia,” said Milne, whose new venture Treasure Island Challenge – a unique tourism business on an idyllic Thai island – was reported in Northwich Guardian two months ago.
“Since the moment I landed, everyone I’ve met has been so wonderful and I can’t wait to meet more locals, more fans, and soak up the positive, inviting atmosphere.
“This is my first Women’s World Cup and I’m absolutely buzzing to be Down Under for it. It’s going to be incredible to watch England take on Haiti this weekend and hopefully, football is coming home.”
England, the current European champions, face Haiti in their first game on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland.
Sally Cope, Tourism Australia’s regional general manager for UK & Northern Europe, said: “Sport is a big part of Aussie culture and we love how it brings people together.
“When we heard about Andy, someone who has been a passionate supporter of football for decades and gets so much enjoyment out of meeting new people while he cheers on his home country, we knew we had to invite him to come and say g’day and be part of the Women’s World Cup.”
Milne will be in Australia all week and is also attending the game between home-nation team the Matildas versus Ireland’s Girls in Green today, Thursday.
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