Bennetts Revel In New ‘Scots On Tour’ Adventure

Germany in 2024, America in 2026 and hopefully sundry other trips to major tournaments in the years to come.

Tom Bennett is hoping Wednesday night in Miami is not the end of it for Scotland at these World Cup finals. Beyond that, there is a commitment in his close family group to be back in the stands when their country next travel to play on stages such as this.

He will be watching the decisive Group C game against Brazil at home in Chorley rather than close up in the heat of a Florida teatime but has the wonderful memories of having been there in Boston for the start of this potentially historic campaign.

“Just being around to catch the atmosphere with the Tartan Army would have been memorable but to see Scotland play – and win – against Haiti was very special,” he said.

“We went to Germany for the European Championships two summers ago but this was better because Boston felt like a real party city. The feedback always seems to be the same…..that people love having the Scots around. There isn’t any trouble and it’s just great fun. Having the police officers joining in the keepy-uppys is something we will remember!

“We were in an apartment three miles from the city centre and that was perfect. I don’t know how many Scots were in the city but there must have been well over 50,000 at the Haiti game in a 65,000 stadium. It felt totally Scottish. We loved it!”

Team Bennett, a group of eight including Tom, his son, two brothers and a nephew, met in the unlikely setting of Reykjavik Airport after their different planes from the UK landed there for two hours.

They were also clutching tickets for the opening clash in Boston eight days ago following some careful planning before departure.

“We bought them for £450 each, which was probably cheap,” he added. “About a week before we flew out, we found someone who had ten available, so we bought eight of them.

“They were for the end that John McGinn scored at but we had walked round by then to the opposite end! We realised there were more Scots at the other end, so we moved. The stewards couldn’t keep everyone in the right place and no-one sits down anyway, so we just went and stood where there was some room.

“We were pleased we chose what looked like the most winable game and it was wonderful to be there to celebrate a victory in a major tournament. 

“Losing 1-0 to a very good Morocco side a few days later wasn’t a bad result – I watched that one quietly at home while we were recovering.

“The same score against Brazil would probably be good enough to take us through. I know it sounds a bit negative to say that and a draw would certainly be enough.

“But I think we all know we have never previously reached the knock-out stages of a tournament like this, so it would be something big to get there, although we realise we would then be facing one of the leading sides.”

Bennett has the very Scottish middle name of ‘McNeill’ and it’s remarkable to think that man-of-the-moment McGinn was born in 1994 during the latter stages of the 56-year-old’s 133-game Wolves career.

By coincidence, Tom also played near the end of his career for the English Boston – the United who reached and survived in the Football League during his two and a bit years there.

He has been retired some 20 years now but is still a part-time coach at Blackburn and in charge of their under-16 squad.

Last week, as well as savouring game-night in the Gillette Stadium, he and his family group visited Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, but passed up the chance of £50 tickets for a game that took place while they were in town.

One opportunity that was not spurned was the chance to dress and look like a Scot. To my enquiry as to whether the kilt came out, Tom said: “Yes, of course. For the match and every day.

“I could wear it down my local for one of the games but will settle for seeing the next one at home. 

“We will keep attempting this kind of trip, though, for as long as Scotland keep qualifying. Just put a bit in the piggy-bank every now and then and save a little towards the next adventure…..”