Hinckley man heads to World Cup after going sober

A man from Hinckley says he saved all the money he used to spend on alcohol and has used it to buuy a ticket to every England game at the 2026 World Cup.

Darren Thompson, from Hinckley in Leicestershire, will be travelling around America, Canada and Mexico this summer following the Three Lions

The life-long Leicester City supporter says he hopes his story of how he became sober and turned his life around will inspire others who suffer with alcohol addiction. 

The 53-year-old said he was "out of control" and has now managed to save £150 a week since going to rehab which he has spent on getting to the World Cup. He told Fosse 107:m

"The process to get tickets has been pretty difficult you have to get so many caps and categories... so it's been quite a stressful ride." 

"I can't wait to get on that plane on June 15th and to be out there when they play the national anthem." 

He'll be spending his one year anniversary with his wife in New York. We asked him how far he thinks England will go...

"Well, that is a good question. At the end of the day I've seen Leicester win the premier league and the fa cup so anything can happen. To see England win the world cup having seen Leicester do that it would just be unbelievable."