Football-loving grandmother decorates house with English flags
Mary Fannon, a 71-year-old great-grandmother, has decorated her home in Burnage, Manchester, with English flags for more than 20 years, creating a locally loved tradition ahead of the World Cup.
A football-loving great-grandmother has become the talk of the neighborhood after decorating her home with a vast display of England flags, badges and baubles. Mary Fannon, 71, has graced her home in Burnage, Manchester, during every World Cup and Euro tournament for the past 20 years. Every year, she buys more decorations, and her collection has grown so much that it now covers almost every corner of her house, garden and even the garage. "I love it because it's England," said the Manchester United fan. "Come on England, get 'em in there boys." Mary commented that her lavish displays are expected annually. "I don't know anyone here who puts up as many flags as I do," he said. "People drive by and show their support, wave at me and honk their horns. They always shout my name now because they know who I am." Over the years, Mary has not only purchased flags for her collection, but also received donations — people visit her home to drop off their flags and admire the display. "Many of the flags came from people who came here, knocked on the door and gave them to me," he said. "It would be weird now if people saw that I didn't put them in." Mary hopes to watch England's first game against Croatia alone or with her grandchildren, but has bigger plans if England progress to the final stages. "If we go to the final, I'm going to have people here. I don't care if it's two o'clock in the morning, it's going to happen. I hope we win. If we advance today, I think we'll be there, we can make it." The tournament is just another chapter in a long series of World Cups for Mary, who clearly remembers England's only famous achievement. "I remember our last World Cup victory in the 1966 final," he said. "I was at home watching with my mum and dad in Withington. I was still at school then." Mary hopes to see England bring the World Cup home again, 60 years later. "I hope it's 2-0, I hope Harry Kane scores and if they play Marcus Rashford I hope he scores a goal too," he said. "Rashford is my favorite." "I love it all because it's England. I really love it, I really enjoy it."
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