'Beccles boys' in Qatar flying the flag for Worlingham

Aaron Hacon and his brother-in-law Lee Nash say they both found themselves in the "doghouse" with their partners when they told them they had bought tickets to watch England against Wales. 

Now the pair have been representing their village thousands of miles away on football's biggest stage.

Mr Hacon said: “Neither of us asked our partners because we simply didn’t time when tickets were released, we had to jump at the opportunity, which got us both in the doghouse. 

“We were so excited to watch England play - for us to be able to say that we have watched our country play at a world cup is so special - once in a lifetime kind of stuff. 

“There has been absolutely no trouble at all in Qatar, everybody has been lovely and so welcoming, and the atmosphere has been amazing.” 

Mr Nash said: “My wife didn’t talk to me for two days when I told her I had bought tickets to the world cup.  

“I ended up taking the family to Center Parcs to make amends. 

“The atmosphere is so friendly – you can hop on the metro and very easily get anywhere across the country, it is so convenient, modern and user-friendly. 

“We have counted fans from every country, everyone is getting on well."

Worlinghma flying high at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium (Image: Aaron Hacon and Lee Nash)

England beat Wales 3-0 on the night and the Suffolk spectators said the atmosphere was "buzzing".

"We got to the stadium early to soak up the atmosphere. Everyone was in good spirits, with smiles, some singing and dancing.

"English and Welsh fans all mixed together, all getting along. 

"We were regularly stopped and asked where the 'city' of Worlingham was.

"The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium was impressive. The team flags rotating around the stadium in lights. 

"The second half had the English fans buzzing, some great goals.

"It was everything we dreamed it would be. A story we'll never get tired of telling, a memory of a lifetime an experience everyone should try," Mr Hacon said.

With the average pint costing between the equivalent of £12-14 the two fans were delighted to have found somewhere a bit "cheaper". 

Mr Nash said: “A pint of Heineken in a bar we found is £8, and there's a brilliant atmosphere, so happy days.  

“We also were treated to a free tequila each for embracing the culture as Aaron and I are wearing some traditional Arabian headwear.” 

Mr Nash runs a design agency and a football magazine called ‘Glory Studio’, and was invited to Qatar two years ago with his media outlet. 

“How far the country has come in just a couple of years is incredible," he said.

“The metro wasn’t built when I first visited. 

“All of the infrastructures are so modern and futuristic, it’s just amazing,” Mr Nash said. 

Will it be coming home? (Image: Aaron Hacon and Lee Nash)