A viral American tourist who ended up partying with 150 fans of Southend United opened its doors on his experience in the culture of English football.
Evan Johnston, 21, thought he could enjoy a quiet cruise in the Thames when he climbed on what he thought was a tourist boat on Saturday.
But the Arizona student found himself surrounded by a group of Southend fans, who loved the pleasure, who had reserved the boat as partial transport to a match.
The fans adopted Evan, bought all his drinks and sung “Evan is a shrimp, the La La” while they were watching Southend Draw 1-1 at Sutton United.
In addition, he should now be a guest of honor during the confrontation of the National League with Solihull Moors this Saturday.
“I initially planned to get on the river cruise boat for the Hop-on-Hop tour, which, I suppose, was located on the same quay,” Johnson told Southend Echo.
American tourist Evan Johnston (center), 21, has accidentally climbed aboard a Southend fans boat
The supporters took Evan with them to a match, where he “had an explosion” and became a fan
Southend fans had hired a boat as a transport, but Evan thought it was a tour (file photo)
“I had suspicion when I was online to board all the Southend fans, because they seemed to know each other and make songs that I did not understand.
“But I decided to get on board anyway because I thought if they were checking the tickets, they would turn me over … But they did not check the tickets, so I slipped on the boat without being detected.
“I broke out on the boat and at Southend Game.
“I had so much fun that I plan to go to another Southend match next weekend and I hope they will be able to win.
“I’m a fan of Southend until my death now. I have never followed a lot of football, so it’s the first team that actually carries me and I approach them now.
The supporters had rented a festive boat in Tower Millennium Pier to Blackfriars Pier, then they obtained the train to Gander Green Lane de Sutton.
A Southend United spokesperson, who continues the national league qualifiers, told Guardian: “ We are really impatient to welcome Evan to Roots Hall this weekend for our match against Solihull Moors on Saturday.
“We will go behind the scenes of the stadium and the chance to meet some of the players.
“After hearing, he was one of the 1,459 fans who ended up outside in Sutton – by full accident – we are delighted to show him what a home match is with the Shrimpers.”