One in three fans would be late to own wedding to watch England bid for World Cup glory

A survey carried out by Johnstone’s Paint, sponsors of the Football League Trophy, showed 36 per cent of people would be late for their own nuptials to see England’s football stars play in the final of a major international tournament.

But it seems that football nuts favour their club over country with a startling 47 per cent saying they would delay their wedding if it meant seeing their hometown team at a major Wembley final like the FA Cup or the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Ben Wilde, brand and sponsorship manager of Johnstone’s Paint, said: “This season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final between Peterborough United and Chesterfield fell on Mother’s Day and yet still attracted a very good crowd.

“We were intrigued to find out what lengths people would go to in order to watch their club or country play in a big game.

“The results make for very interesting reading and hopefully England can now give everyone plenty to cheer by enjoying an excellent run over the next few weeks in Brazil.”

The survey, released to coincide with this summer’s World Cup in Brazil, also revealed some of the other landmark moments that supporters would miss to witness success on the pitch.

More than 15 per cent would miss the birth of their child to watch England feature in what would be their biggest game for nearly 50 years, while 64 per cent would be prepared to put pleasure before work by throwing a sickie to avoid missing the big game.

The survey showed that 57 per cent would happily be late for a business meeting if it clashed with England appearing in a significant final, while more than half would be prepared to snub a meeting with the Queen to collect an MBE if their club team were at Wembley.

To see their country play in a major international final:

• 36 per cent would be late for their own wedding

• 15 per cent would miss the birth of their child.

• 57 per cent would be late for a business meeting

• 67 per cent would scrap a prior engagement with their partner

• 25 per cent would miss seeing their child playing in a junior final

• 64 per cent would throw a sickie

• 15 per cent would do none of the above

To see their club play at Wembley in a major domestic final:

• 47 per cent would delay their wedding

• 25 per cent would miss their child’s graduation

• 54 per cent would miss the chance of meeting the Queen

• 16 per cent would miss the birth of their child

• 67 per cent would throw a sickie

• 60 per would miss a family event

• 36 per cent would let their best mate down by not performing best man duties

• 8 per cent would do none of the above