Biggest AU Fan in Britain

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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.

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