England superfan Andy Milne has spoken out about the horrific abuse he received on social media after going viral as Steve McClaren at the Qatar World Cup.
Milne first went viral for supporting England in Qatar two years ago, with some on social media claiming he looked like former England coach McClaren, and has since been spotted several times.
The fan has become a cult figure among Three Lions fans after he was photographed in Qatar lifting a replica of the Jules Rimet Trophy during England’s 3-0 win against Senegal.
However, on the verge of becoming a viral sensation, Milne unfortunately revealed that not all of the attention was positive, with some on social media offering merciless insults.
“He’s a very handsome guy, isn’t he? So I don’t mind that at all.” Honestly, I use social media a little bit now,” Milne told Mail Sport while in Germany ahead of the Denmark game on Thursday night.
England superfan Andy Milne has opened up about the vile abuse he received from trolls after going viral.
Viral England fan Milne (centre) was spotted again during England’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on Sunday.
Milne went viral for his resemblance to former England manager McClaren, who managed the team between 2006 and 2007.
“I have no idea, so at the time I did nothing and missed all that. Looking back, I was monitored quite unpleasantly for 24 hours.”
People say, “He doesn’t look like Steve McLaren, he looks like a pedophile!”, “Ken Dodd’s love son,” that sort of thing.
“But a lovely lady, I’d love to track her down, came and said, ‘Look guys, this is just bullying, leave him alone, he’s an England fan just having fun there,’ and the nation seemed to support me. After that, now I get a lot of lovely welcoming comments from English fans.”
Milne, a retired biology professor, has been in Germany following the progress of the Three Lions as they continue their bid to end their 58-year wait for major degrees.
However, as a viral superfan, it’s hard to get ahead in the competition without endless selfie requests.
‘(I receive a) huge amount; Like I say, Steve McClaren is a handsome guy!’
“I retired a little early so I could attend the whole tournament (in Qatar), but now I run a company in Thailand that’s like an escape room, but on an entire island!”
He added: “The one I spent a lot of money on was Qatar, and I did it in a bit of luxury, but here I am sleeping in the back of my car with my partner in a tent outside.
England beat Serbia in their first Euro Cup match last Sunday
Milne (pictured at the 2022 World Cup) has been seen at various tournaments around the world.
And when asked how much it had cost him to follow the Three Lions around the world, Milne replied: “What I have spent is the money I have saved from my job as a teacher!”
For Milne, following England at major tournaments has always been a passion, having made his first trip aged 19 to watch the Three Lions conquer the world at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
‘That 1982 tournament, so excited to get there, we were playing France in the opening game, and 27 seconds later, Robson puts the ball in the back of the net and England are 1-0 up. Legend.’
I found my way! I took a tent, a backpack and my mother very kindly bought me a one-way ticket there, I arrived with my tent, my sleeping bag and my kitchen and within two hours everything was stolen from me, so I spent a month evil. ‘
Milne, who estimates he has attended more than 500 England matches, believes English fans are in good hands in Germany.
Aside from a “very, very strong team”, Milne praised Three Lions manager Southgate, stating that he is among the best England fans have ever managed in years past.
Milne believes Southgate is one of the best managers England have ever had, if not the best.
“Gareth is one of the most successful coaches we have had, if not the most successful, and I think we can all learn from our decisions in hindsight,” he said.
“I agree with the popular opinion that maybe he should have shaken things up in the last game, but he has brought in new players and we have a very, very solid team.”