Could the biggest Auburn fan live across the pond?

[MDM4AU 336]

From Rick Karle- WVTM 13 - Birmingham (Facebook)

Could the biggest Auburn fan in the world live a half a world away?
He’s a fan who has never seen an Auburn sporting event in person.
He has Auburn greats tattooed on his arms and he has a dog named “Gus”.
Right there in the heart of England.
And get this: He's heading to Auburn this November for the Iron Bowl!
 
Drive an hour northeast of Liverpool and you will find him.
Paul Mortimer lives in the small town of Westhoughton, where dreams come true.
Paul works as an IT engineer for the local city council.
He also performs on weekends, singing and playing his guitar.
 
Now, Paul Mortimer may live in England, but Paul Mortimer loves country music.
Of course, good country music comes from the good ‘ole south in good ‘ole USA.

Over ten years ago, Paul was searching for a country music station on the internet and came across a station from Montgomery, Alabama.
In between songs, the DJ’s would often offer updated scores on Auburn football.
 
“What is this Auburn football?”, Paul thought to himself- football to him involved set pieces and corner kicks.
The fall of 2013 arrived in the land of soccer, and in November of that year, Paul’s heart skipped a beat.
“The Alabama-Auburn game was being televised in the United Kingdom,” Paul tells me.
“I decided to see what American football was all about.”
 
Paul Mortimer picked quite a game to learn about American football.
Auburn’s Chris Davis shocked the world.
Thousands of fans flooded the field.
The Kick Six sent chills down Paul Mortimer’s spine.
 
It was the beginning of a love affair with the orange and blue.
Paul began streaming everything Auburn: Basketball, baseball, softball gymnastics, even equestrian.
He decided to have some fun and created a Facebook page called British Auburn Fan.
That’s when the floodgates opened.
 
“It has been so exciting,” Paul tells me.
“Finding Auburn memorabilia in England is nearly impossible, but an amazing thing happened,” said Paul.
“Auburn fans from all over the world started sending me memorabilia.”
“T-shirts and caps, clothing, mugs, shakers, license plates and letters.”
 
It’s September of 2023, and Peter’s home in England has become a shrine to the Tigers.
Orange and blue everywhere.
His wife Allie and kids Kora, Adam and Isaac are just going with it.
Auburn everywhere- more tattoos are on their way.
 
In Westhoughton, England, the town folks work hard, just like they do across the pond.
Paul wanted to visit Auburn a few years back, but he lost his father from Covid-19.
The following year, Allie broke her back in several places, so Paul stayed in England with his wife.
But months ago, Paul Mortimer’s dream was getting close to becoming a reality.
 
“It’s really happening,” Paul told me.
“I have booked my flight to Auburn.”
“I’m going to the Iron Bowl this fall!”
It will be the first time that Paul has seen an Auburn game of any sort in person.
 
“I can’t wait,” Paul Mortimer told me,
“It’s going to be the most memorable trip of my life.”

Yes, a husband and father from England will be yelling, "War Eagle" this weekend.
Yelling that will be heard thousands of miles away.
 
And that is the story of the biggest Auburn fan in the world.
 
A man who lives in the small town of Westhoughton, England.
 
A small town where dreams really do come true.

*Be sure to say "hello" to Paul or send him a "War Eagle" and/or a letter, as he's way over in England waiting to hear from you:

36 Coverdale Road
Westhoughton 
BL5 3RG
United Kingdom

*Thanks to Paul Mortimer for the pictures.
Auburn Tigers Auburn University Auburn Football

 

https://www.facebook.com/100044283706834/posts/pfbid0xKbbr6xcdRFMvqruGS6dY3TKAowoqCNUV2CcjoZXZ7X3iGhMrdxGhCa9eSsf1cpol/?mibextid=cr9u03

[augolf1716 21,440]

[augolf1716 21,440]

[augolf1716 21,440]

[AUloggerhead 2,271]

2 hours ago, MDM4AU said:

From Rick Karle- WVTM 13 - Birmingham (Facebook)

Could the biggest Auburn fan in the world live a half a world away?
He’s a fan who has never seen an Auburn sporting event in person.
He has Auburn greats tattooed on his arms and he has a dog named “Gus”.
Right there in the heart of England.
And get this: He's heading to Auburn this November for the Iron Bowl!
 
Drive an hour northeast of Liverpool and you will find him.
Paul Mortimer lives in the small town of Westhoughton, where dreams come true.
Paul works as an IT engineer for the local city council.
He also performs on weekends, singing and playing his guitar.
 
Now, Paul Mortimer may live in England, but Paul Mortimer loves country music.
Of course, good country music comes from the good ‘ole south in good ‘ole USA.

Over ten years ago, Paul was searching for a country music station on the internet and came across a station from Montgomery, Alabama.
In between songs, the DJ’s would often offer updated scores on Auburn football.
 
“What is this Auburn football?”, Paul thought to himself- football to him involved set pieces and corner kicks.
The fall of 2013 arrived in the land of soccer, and in November of that year, Paul’s heart skipped a beat.
“The Alabama-Auburn game was being televised in the United Kingdom,” Paul tells me.
“I decided to see what American football was all about.”
 
Paul Mortimer picked quite a game to learn about American football.
Auburn’s Chris Davis shocked the world.
Thousands of fans flooded the field.
The Kick Six sent chills down Paul Mortimer’s spine.
 
It was the beginning of a love affair with the orange and blue.
Paul began streaming everything Auburn: Basketball, baseball, softball gymnastics, even equestrian.
He decided to have some fun and created a Facebook page called British Auburn Fan.
That’s when the floodgates opened.
 
“It has been so exciting,” Paul tells me.
“Finding Auburn memorabilia in England is nearly impossible, but an amazing thing happened,” said Paul.
“Auburn fans from all over the world started sending me memorabilia.”
“T-shirts and caps, clothing, mugs, shakers, license plates and letters.”
 
It’s September of 2023, and Peter’s home in England has become a shrine to the Tigers.
Orange and blue everywhere.
His wife Allie and kids Kora, Adam and Isaac are just going with it.
Auburn everywhere- more tattoos are on their way.
 
In Westhoughton, England, the town folks work hard, just like they do across the pond.
Paul wanted to visit Auburn a few years back, but he lost his father from Covid-19.
The following year, Allie broke her back in several places, so Paul stayed in England with his wife.
But months ago, Paul Mortimer’s dream was getting close to becoming a reality.
 
“It’s really happening,” Paul told me.
“I have booked my flight to Auburn.”
“I’m going to the Iron Bowl this fall!”
It will be the first time that Paul has seen an Auburn game of any sort in person.
 
“I can’t wait,” Paul Mortimer told me,
“It’s going to be the most memorable trip of my life.”

Yes, a husband and father from England will be yelling, "War Eagle" this weekend.
Yelling that will be heard thousands of miles away.
 
And that is the story of the biggest Auburn fan in the world.
 
A man who lives in the small town of Westhoughton, England.
 
A small town where dreams really do come true.

*Be sure to say "hello" to Paul or send him a "War Eagle" and/or a letter, as he's way over in England waiting to hear from you:

36 Coverdale Road
Westhoughton 
BL5 3RG
United Kingdom

*Thanks to Paul Mortimer for the pictures.
Auburn Tigers Auburn University Auburn Football

 

https://www.facebook.com/100044283706834/posts/pfbid0xKbbr6xcdRFMvqruGS6dY3TKAowoqCNUV2CcjoZXZ7X3iGhMrdxGhCa9eSsf1cpol/?mibextid=cr9u03

What an incredible story!  Thanks for posting.  We have to win it this year!  WDE

[Golden Eagle 421]

Reminiscent of the woman named Dee Ford from England who started receiving tweets intended for AU's Dee Ford...another great story.

 

'Beyond my wildest dreams': Dee Ford makes first trip to Auburn - Auburn University Athletics (auburntigers.com)

 

[Randman5000 4,235]

That's an awesome story!! Bring it home for him

[AUpreacherman22 3,895]

That’s AUsome!!!  
We have a partner church in Blackpool, UK.   Westhoughton is between Blackpool and the Manchester airport.   I would love to meet Paul one day!

[MDM4AU 336]

8 hours ago, Golden Eagle said:

Reminiscent of the woman named Dee Ford from England who started receiving tweets intended for AU's Dee Ford...another great story.

 

'Beyond my wildest dreams': Dee Ford makes first trip to Auburn - Auburn University Athletics (auburntigers.com)

 

I follow her on Twitter. 😆 She’s great. 

[Golden Eagle 421]

Does anyone know the backstory of his trip for the Iron Bowl?  How long is he staying, how did he get a ticket, is he meeting up with any AU alumni/fans who will be hosting him and showing him around, is the AU Athletic Department engaged with him, etc?  Really love this story!

[BritishAuburnFan 17]

Thanks @MDM4AU - This is me!!
I've only just found this thread!

[AUloggerhead 2,271]

8 minutes ago, BritishAuburnFan said:

Thanks @MDM4AU - This is me!!
I've only just found this thread!

War Eagle.  Hope you have a fantastic time at the Iron Bowl.  

[BritishAuburnFan 17]

17 hours ago, AUloggerhead said:

War Eagle.  Hope you have a fantastic time at the Iron Bowl.  

Thank you! War Eagle!!
I can't wait to be over there next week!

[Mike4AU 1,739]

1 hour ago, BritishAuburnFan said:

Thank you! War Eagle!!
I can't wait to be over there next week!

Dee, you are going be part of one of the most amazing events in all sports. The electricity in the air is unbelievable!

BTW, for you knuckleheads who think this Dee Ford is a guy, she is a girl.  

War Eagle, Dee! Have a great visit!

[Golden Eagle 421]

3 hours ago, Mike4AU said:

Dee, you are going be part of one of the most amazing events in all sports. The electricity in the air is unbelievable!

BTW, for you knuckleheads who think this Dee Ford is a guy, she is a girl.  

War Eagle, Dee! Have a great visit!

This is not Dee Ford.  We have ANOTHER British Auburn fan - Paul Mortimer from Westhoughton.  Read the OP.  It's a great story!!!

[Golden Eagle 421]

@BritishAuburnFan   Welcome, Paul!   Your journey to Auburn is one for the ages and we love that you love Auburn as much as we do.  What are your plans for your trip to Auburn?  Unfortunately, I won't be at the game but I hope you have connected with Auburn fans who will show you around and ensure you have a wonderful experience.  WAR EAGLE!

[Mike4AU 1,739]

1 hour ago, Golden Eagle said:

This is not Dee Ford.  We have ANOTHER British Auburn fan - Paul Mortimer from Westhoughton.  Read the OP.  It's a great story!!!

Thanks for the info.  I have an excuse for being a knucklehead.  Was laying in a surgery prep bed for eye surgery. Foggy brain. 

[Golden Eagle 421]

13 minutes ago, Mike4AU said:

Thanks for the info.  I have an excuse for being a knucklehead.  Was laying in a surgery prep bed for eye surgery. Foggy brain. 

I hope your surgery was successful and I wish you a speedy recovery.

[bishoptf 699]

Surely (Don't call me Shirley) we have some folks that are going to the game that will be tailgating that can welcome @BritishAuburnFanto there tailgate event etc...and all the festivities that will be happening that weekend. You picked a great weekend to be on the Loveliest village on the plains, will be a great weekend that you will never forget. Hopefully you will have a couple days if not more to see the campus and everything in Auburn.

 

War Eagle!

[Mike4AU 1,739]

4 hours ago, Golden Eagle said:

I hope your surgery was successful and I wish you a speedy recovery.

Thanks. It appears everything went well, but it will be about a month before we can tell, for sure. 

Edited November 14, 2023 by Mike4AU

[TeamZero77 1,789]

I love stories like this!!! This is what it's all about folks!!

War Eagle Paul

[MDM4AU 336]

On 11/13/2023 at 11:05 AM, BritishAuburnFan said:

Thanks @MDM4AU - This is me!!
I've only just found this thread!

Very cool. War Eagle! Hope you enjoy your time here.