The Official England House isn’t officially affiliated with the country’s national side, but the name is patented by what may be the largest supporters group anywhere in the world outside the U.K and the country it celebrates.
“You get to go to England without the travel,” said Dan Tanner, the de chairman of OEH.
Watching a sport in a pub beside supporters who react as you do — cheering or jeering — all at the same moments for the same reasons is something Canadians understand, he said. It’s just typically for a different sport.
“We can’t replicate your hockey atmosphere in London, and you can’t replicate our European soccer here — but we do. It’s a soccer atmosphere when we’re there.”
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England games have become so popular, OEH organizes ticket sales so fans know they won’t get turned away at the door minutes before kick-off.Ěý By Tuesday afternoon, four days before England’s first World Cup match against Italy on June 14, the Official England House had sold nearly 2,000 tickets to watch the game at 15 bars across Canada.
Taking a cue from the officially official national houses that appear during Olympic Games, OEH dedicated its “house” to a single sport and team and tried to make inroads at bars that stubbornly show mid-season hockey over anything else, including championship finals in other sports. OEH hosted its first viewing at the Blarney Stone in 2010 and turned away more than 200 fans.
“We just wanted to watch the game together as ex-pats with out any trouble,” said Tanner, who said the ticketing system has become essential and comes with a pint for $10. He travelled to Miami last weekend for a friendly against Honduras.
In Vancouver, two of three OEH locations are already sold out, said Tanner. As of Tuesday, the London Pub and Manchester Public Eatery were full but the Pint Public House still had remaining tickets.
Here's Tanner's take on a devoted fan of the Three Lions.
What does the typical English fan drink?
DT: Pints of beer, really. I drink Carlsberg or Guinness.
What do they eat?
DT: Usually a full English breakfast in this country because kick-off is usually in the morning.
What is your all-time favourite goal?
DT: Paul Gascoigne against Scotland in Euro ’96. [He chipped the ball over a defender and with a one-touch volley scored on Andy Goram.]Ěý After he scored, he went to the side of the goal and lay on the grass and his teammates poured water from bottles into his mouth. They did this because before the tournament, they did a team bonding thing and he was photographed in a night club taking shots. Headlines the next day [stated] how irresponsible they were. With the goal, he made fun of them [the press] by making the same movement.
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What is your favourite memory?
DT: When England came back from Italy ’90. Paul Gascoigne was the player of the tournament and although they got knocked out in penalties in the semifinal, back at Heathrow, they were lorded over like heroes. Everybody loved them and was behind the team. That was such a high point. I was 10, it was the stating point of my love affair with England football.
Does England get unfair treatment by the press?
DT: We have the form as England fans and the press to beat the team up before they even get to the pitch unfortunately. That’s something we’re trying to change, with a bit of Canadian influence, to be the 12th man. Criticism is one thing, but we do not stand for any bad-mouthing of the team.
At the end of the day, there are plenty of countries like Canada that haven’t qualified for a World Cup since 1986. We look at it as a gift for the summer to gather together.
I think the fans give the team a rough ride. The press are the worst, the press are terrible. They’ve been very rude to Roy Hodgson [former England manager] who has a slight lisp. Headlines make fun of this and our press seems to think that’s funny. I think it’s in bad taste. All he had to do was qualify and they still criticize him.
Who is the most important player on the team at Brazil 2014?
DT: Ross Barkley right now because he signifies the new kids coming through. For a long time we had an old guard and some played at three or four World Cups and we didn’t have any young players going through. They’re a source of new excitement, pace and flare and they’ve been given the freedom to play football by the coach.
Can England win?
DT: This year, I think anybody can win. There are so many key injuries for players on Germany, France, now Brazil, so there are many factors plus the heat.
The favourite have got to be Brazil because they’re at home, but it’s not guaranteed for them. Their defense is terrible.
The London Pub is located at 700 Main St. For Official England House tickets, visit facebook.com/englandhousecanada.
