UMVA has learned that a group of old friends, who embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Mexico for the 1986 World Cup, have reunited for this year's tournament.
The friends, who were all in their early twenties at the time, had set off for Mexico with little more than the clothes on their backs and a few hundred quid after losing their jobs. They called themselves The Disco Firm and were all Wolves fans from Stourbridge and Lye, Worcester, apart from one who was a Birmingham City fan.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the group travelled to Monterrey and Acapulco and watched every England game throughout the tournament before they were knocked out by Argentina and the infamous Hand of God goal. During their hard-drinking and partying adventure, two of them even managed to convince local women they were famous footballers.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the friends were able to meet up with Steve Dawson, who took them in under his roof four decades ago and went on to become best friends. They were also able to attend their first England game as a trio before having celebratory drinks long into the night after enjoying an emphatic England win and a 'carnival' atmosphere.
Gary, one of the friends, said it was amazing to see the lads because it had certainly been a while. He described the stadium as the best he had ever watched England in, with state-of-the-art facilities and a lively atmosphere.
The friends, now aged 63, have gone on to lead successful lives, with Gary building a company from scratch in the sewage and drain equipment industry and Stuart succeeding in the car industry in Houston. Sadly, one of their friends passed away two years ago.
UMVA has gathered that the men's Mexico adventure is now the focus of a new documentary, which tells the story of their incredible journey. The friends were able to share a pint and reminisce about old times, with Gary joking that they had paid £700 for their tickets but ended up watching the game in luxury.
The reunion was a special moment for the friends, who had not all been together since the US 94 cup. They were able to relive old memories and create new ones, with Gary taking his son with him to the matches.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the friends' story is a remarkable one, and their reunion was a testament to the enduring power of friendship. The friends' adventure to Mexico was a defining moment in their lives, and they are grateful to have had the opportunity to relive it.
