England superfan Brian Robson's flag carried to every World Cup game weeks after his death

Brian Robson, 63, from Ashington, Northumberland, died from cancer just weeks before the 2026 World Cup — a tournament he had a ticket for and fully expected to attend. His fellow England supporters have since carried his flag and photograph to every Three Lions match in the United States, honouring a man who spent decades following his country across the globe.

Robson was a ‘top capper’ — one of the most dedicated members of the official England fans’ club — a status that earned him access to the best ticket allocations, including a seat for the final. He had previously attended the World Cup finals in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, and his travels following England took him to Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, San Marino, Albania, Lithuania, Portugal, Azerbaijan, and Czechia.

His close friend Garford Beck, 64, of London, said: “We wanted him here with us and carried his flag and photo everywhere.” Mark Trigg, 52, a chef from Derby, added simply: “He is not forgotten.”

Brian’s son Lewis, 28, reflected on the depth of his father’s commitment. “He was expecting to be in the US and had his ticket for the final in case England got there,” he said. “He was a super fan, in the top percentile, so he received the best ticket deal.”

Lewis traced his own earliest football memories back to watching England versus France during a family holiday in Portugal at Euro 2004, when he was just seven years old. From that point, he watched his father build a life shaped around following the national side — flying from Newcastle, sometimes via Dublin or Palma, then travelling onward by bus or train to reach destinations most supporters never consider.

“It was not just about 90 minutes of football,” Lewis said. “What made it special for Dad were the friendships and connections he made while he was there. It was about the moments outside the stadium.”

A factory worker by trade, Robson was a familiar face in television coverage of England matches, regularly spotted with his Ashington flag. He was also a devoted Newcastle United supporter who followed the club with his father, Brian Snr, now 90.

With England reaching the semi-finals of the tournament, Robson’s flag has been present at every step — a quiet tribute to a supporter whose loyalty to the Three Lions never wavered.