Fan hopes to be reunited with flag at England game

A football fan heading to England's World Cup match against the Democratic Republic of Congo later is hoping to find his prized flag after it went missing near New York.

Ed Faulkner, who travelled to the US last week with the customised flag, said it was draped over a balcony and disappeared while he was in a bar at the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

He has since launched an appeal on social media to find it, and says he and his friends will be looking out for it at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia.

Faulkner said the flag, which features Hull City, was an important part of his journey following the national team.

Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, Faulkner said: "Hopefully, someone spots it [at the stadium], gives me a ring and I will walk round and get it back."

Asked who might have taken it, he said: "It's got to be a Hull City fan - who would steal a flag if you weren't a Hull City fan?

Faulkern said during his time in the US, he had seen a lot of interest from locals and people congratulating the team on their promotion to the Premier League.

"It might be a prized possession now, and we might win the league, then I'll never get it back," he joked.

"I was a little bit annoyed, but I can see the funny side of it now," he added.

Despite losing his flag, Faulkner, who missed Hull City's play-off final at Wembley after a mild stroke, said he was loving his time in the US, but was unable to indulge in American breakfasts like waffles, and had to make do with oats, honey, nuts and fruit instead.

He said he had also met lots of other fans, including some DR Congo supporters, who he said he had convinced to support Hull City.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices