Football may not be the number one sport on the other side of the Atlantic, but that didn't stop American Don York sitting at his computer late into the night to score his World Cup ticket.

The 45-year-old self-employed electrician moved from the United States to Britain in 1991, and now lives in Bladon with his wife Linde.

He said: "I have a ticket to see the USA play the Czech Republic on June 12. It should only have cost about £30, but I had to bid for it on e-Bay over about five days and it ended up costing me £100.

"The competition was stiff. On the last night of bidding, I stayed up on my computer until midnight. My wife was banging on the door saying What are you doing in there?' and I was shouting back: Trying to get this ticket!'"

Coming from Texas, Mr York admits most of his family are mystified by his eagerness to watch the World Cup.

"I spoke to my sister on the phone and she said: World Cup what's that? Badminton?'" he said.

"Although we have a really tough group, the US are ranked well this time round and I think they can win.

"I have even put a bet on at 80 to one that we will win.

"And even though my wife hates football, she'll be pleased if we do, because I've promised her a new kitchen."