Tartan Army piper from Thurso says Euro trip was 'a laugh from start to finish' despite Scotland's exit
Tartan Army piper Bob Bell said his European Championship adventure had been "a laugh from start to finish" – despite the disappointment of Scotland's exit at the group stage.
The 34-year-old from Thurso attended all three Scotland matches in the delayed Euro 2020 finals and described it as an amazing experience.
Bob has travelled all over Europe supporting the national men's football team but was still in primary school the last time they qualified for a tournament.
He was part of a group of dedicated fans from Thurso-based Top Joe's Tartan Army who travelled in a motorhome customised with Scotland flags and Tartan Army slogans.
Steve Clarke's side lost their Group D opener to the Czech Republic at Hampden Park in Glasgow, then earned a goalless draw with England at London's Wembley Stadium. A win in their final group game – against Croatia at Hampden on Tuesday – would have sent the Scots through to the knockout phase for the first time, but they were beaten 3-1.
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3 / 3Bob was back at his home in Aberdeen today and on Friday will return to his job as a senior accountant.
“The whole experience has been amazing," he said. "Obviously it didn't go our way on Tuesday night, but to give ourselves a chance going into the third game was testament to the team for their performance down at Wembley.
"To a man, I thought everyone in a dark blue shirt was immense against England, and then obviously that just gave us the hype for Tuesday night."
Bob and other supporters from Caithness, Martin Nicolson and Ally Webster, featured in a news bulletin on ITV's Good Morning Britain which was filmed outside Wembley and broadcast on the day of the England game.
"Just to be there was amazing," said Bob, who served as a member of Thurso's pipe band from 2003 to 2007.
“I've travelled since 2006 all over Europe. We just need to kick on now and make sure it's not another 23 years.”
He added: “Everyone in the motorhome just sort of chipped in and got each other through the tough times. It was just brilliant – it was a laugh from start to finish.
“There was no trouble anywhere. We had a couple of days in Liverpool and that was brilliant as well – we were received very well there.”
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