Four years ago, Aaron Ramsdale watched England’s opening game in the World Cup in Lineker’s Bar in Ayia Napa.
Now the Arsenal keeper is living the dream after forcing his way into Gareth Southgate’s squad and his proud family - including his fez-wearing dad Nick - are out in force to support him. Ramsdale, 24, is a boys’ own story of the mad football fan who used to support England - and now is at his first World Cup.
When asked where he watched England’s first game against Tunisia back in 2018, Ramsdale said: “So it was the summer – oh God – I was in Aiya Napa watching the first game at Lineker's bar with my friends.
“That was crazy because obviously Harry Kane scored the last minute header, that was an eventful night! I watched another at a fan zone in Weymouth and then the Colombia game I watched the day before pre-season, so I was with my group of friends who me and Ben White know round their house.
“As you can imagine, there was a lot of cheering in the front room and I still get goosebumps now thinking about it and I wasn't even there but it was a special night.”
There is a certain irony about Ramsdale watching with a beer in a bar in Aiya Napa and now the England fans will not be able to touch a drop in the stadiums in Qatar.
But nothing would stop his family from supporting him just as they have done throughout his career, his mum and dad ferrying him up and down the country for games.
His mum and dad were a big hit in Arsenal’s All Or Nothing documentary as being the best of parents, cheering and supporting him every step of the way.
Ramsdale revealed his dad broke down in tears when he was called up for the World Cup squad - and said he will be in Doha with his selection of hats which he wears for good luck. And he reckons his dad is angling to be a TV star in his own right.
Ramsdale said: “I couldn't imagine really what they must be feeling like, obviously it's a lot of emotion. They sacrificed a lot for me to even be in with a chance of being here now. I think they're just excited to come out here and support me and the team.
“There was definitely a few tears shed from him. I think if I actually make it on the pitch, he might not return home. He might have a heart attack. He won’t have any nails left, let’s put it that way.
“Obviously my mum and dad are proud English people anyway and they'll want to see the team to well regardless. They'll be really excited regardless and my dad will be wearing his hat out here which will bring a bit of luck.
“He's got the same hairline as me so we both cover our heads. He's got a collection of hats. He's got many. The fez is his favourite and he's getting a little bit recognisable now.
“I think he's waiting on a Goggle Box type TV show to go on with me. He's just an entertainer and a big character. He's a massive part of who I am.”
Ramsdale is enjoying a brilliant season with Arsenal as they sit top of the Premier League, he is arguably behind Nick Pope with Jordan Pickford established as first choice.
But the competition is driving all three keepers and Ramsdale is ready to fight to be first choice. Ramsdale added: “Don’t get me wrong, I am not going to sit here and say I don’t want to play. It will be difficult to flip the switch from being the no. 1 to two or three.
“But I have done it before, so it is nothing new to me. But that’s professional football; that’s goalkeeping. We don’t know yet, which is a good thing, and we are training really, really, really well and will just have to wait and see.
“We all think we can play, we all think we deserve to play. I am no different but the manager decides and then we have a decision to help and a job to try to get into the team whether it is for this tournament or the next camp.”
