Shocked US tourist planning gentle Thames sight-seeing trip ends up on boat full of 150 boozed up UK football fans

A TOURIST planning a gentle sight-seeing trip on the River Thames boarded a party boat full of boozy football fans by mistake. 

American Evan Johnston got on the vessel with 150 Southend United supporters heading to a match. 

US tourist Evan Johnston, in check shirt, thought he was on a Thames sightseeing trip, but he’d accidentally joined 150 football fans heading to a match – who took him alongCredit: Andy Ward
A City Cruises boat tour on the River Thames in London.
Evan had got on a City Cruises craft – but did not realise it had been chartered by Southend United fans heading for a match against fellow National League side SuttonCredit: Getty
Group of men on a boat party holding drinks.
American student Evan with fans of the Shrimpers on board the cruise boatCredit: Andy Ward

The student, 21, thought they were all going to see London’s landmarks. 

But the Shrimpers fans welcomed Evan — taking him to his first ever match, buying all his drinks and chanting: “Evan is a Shrimper, la la la la.” 

Essex side Southend were playing Sutton in South London in a National League clash on Saturday. 

The fans hired a party boat from Tower Millennium Pier to Blackfriars Pier to catch a train to the ground.

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Evan, from Arizona, said: “I had some suspicions when I was in line behind all of the fans. 

“I figured if they checked tickets they’d turn me off. But they didn’t.” 

He said he was “rooting for them” after Southend’s 1-1 draw, leaving them a point outside the promotion play-offs with five games left.

The club will make Evan guest of honour at this Saturday’s home fixture against Solihull Moors. 

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Fan Andy Ward told The Sun: “The next day I messaged Evan. He’d gone on the sightseeing tour he’d planned, and said our boat was a lot better — and his tour was a little quieter.” 

The club said: “Full credit to our brilliant supporters.” 

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Southend United fans on a boat party.
The friendly fans made Evan welcome and bought him pints as they made their way to the matchCredit: Andy Ward
Selfie of two men on a boat, one of whom is an American tourist who accidentally joined a boat party for Southend United football fans.
Evan with Shrimpers fan, and new pal, Andy WardCredit: Chris Phillips
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