A Shropshire England fan who has taken a massive flag emblazoned with the name of his beloved Shrewsbury Town to South Africa for the World Cup today backed the county’s Joe Hart to start for his country.

Kevin Richards’ St George’s Cross flag was highlighted during ITV’s coverage of England’s match with USA on Saturday night, which ended in a 1-1 draw, with presenter Adrian Chiles even commenting on it.

Today 45-year-old Mr Richards, from Shrewsbury, said he had taken the flag, which he bought off a website, to South Africa to show his support for Shropshire’s ex-Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Hart, who now plays for Manchester City.

Speaking from Durban, Mr Richards, a mobile operations manager for Network Rail, said: “I’ve gone by myself to South Africa to try to give Joe Hart a bit of support, and that’s why I’ve taken the flag.

Fumble

“I flew out on June 9 and will come back on July 10 and am following England all the way.”

And he today called on England manager Fabio Capello to pick Hart against Algeria, after West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green’s blunder against the USA saw him fumble the ball following a speculative shot from Clint Dempsey to gift the North Americans a goal.

He said: “Robert Green hasn’t had a very good season for West Ham and David James is renowned for his mistakes as well.

“It speaks for itself that he should have played Joe Hart from the start. I think Joe exudes confidence and the back four will play better if he’s in because he knows how to command the back four.”

And Mr Richards has even met former journeyman footballer and Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara during his trip and offered the ex-player his views on Hart.

He added: “I told him he has played the best out of the three goalkeepers and has played for the England Under-21s and has been nothing but recommended by Stuart Pearce (England senior team coach and Under-21s manager).”

Mr Richards said he did not think star striker Wayne Rooney got into the game much against USA, but praised captain Steven Gerrard, Chelsea’s John Terry and Liverpool fullback Glen Johnson for their performances in the match.

Mr Richards was in the stands for the USA game and has “team specific” tickets up until the semi-finals, meaning as long as England remain in the tournament he will watch them in person.

He said: “I’m travelling all over South Africa and trying to see as much as I can. I haven’t been able to plan my accommodation after the group stage because I don’t know what position they will finish in.

Brilliant

“The people are very nice and have been brilliant. You’ve got to be wary and look around you but the locals have treated me very well.” Mr Richards is in Cape Town for England’s match against Algeria on Friday before moving on to Port Elizabeth for the final group game against Slovenia on Wednesday, also gave his thoughts on the controversial vuvuzela horns.

He said: “It is an unusual atmosphere but I think they are part and parcel of it. I think it stopped the England fans from singing.”

By John Kirk