England fan spends entire house deposit to take grandad to World Cup

‘I can always make money back, but I won't ever get to go to the World Cup with my grandad again’

To make sure he and his grandad were going to the England games, Jacob Allmendinger sacrificed his savings in order to have the trip of a lifetime.

The 21-year-old from North Ferriby, East Yorkshire used his house deposit of £10,000, for which he saved for five years.

For making the call to postpone getting on the property ladder and for spending his life savings, Jacob says he has “no regrets”.

Five years of savings to follow The Three Lions with grandad across the pond

He saved for five years with the dream of one day owning a home.

But on Friday, Jacob took a flight to the US, one of the co-hosting countries of the FIFA World Cup, with his grandad, 80-year-old Geoff Golliker.

While he said he can make money back, going at the WC with his grandad was something he just didn’t want to miss.

“I can always make money back, I'm at the age where I can afford to miss out on a house for two or three years. But I won't ever get to go to the World Cup with my grandad again”, Jacob said.

Jacob and grandad Geoff are planning a whirlwind tour of North America centred around England's World Cup campaign.

“Inviting my grandad was a no-brainer. He agreed straight away”, he said.

Tonight (Saturday) they will watch England’s clash with Panama, the last fixture in the group, hoping that The Three Lions progress to the knockout stages and continue their adventure.

Jacob started following Hully City as a youngster with grandad Geoff, and said football has become even more important to them since he lost his grandmother.

“Since my grandma passed, football has been very important for our relationship. It has definitely strengthened our relationship”, he said.

The bond he has with his grandad appears to go far beyond football, however.

“We get on like a house on fire. We're more best mates than grandad and grandson”, Jacob revealed.

As their itinerary will see them fly into New York before heading to Philadelphia, Atlanta, Mexico City, Miami and back to New York as they chase England around the continent, grandad Geoff described the invitation as an “instant yes”.

He said he is becoming more excited by the day, adding: “As we get closer and closer, I am really excited. Adrenaline is starting to build and I'm really looking forward to it.”