Documentary revisits Wolves fans
They were a group of Wolves fans who famously went to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico - and didn’t come back.
Now the story of Adder, Batesy, Rabbit Head, Arnie, and their American buddy Texas Steve has been told in a new documentary just in time for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, called “Lost Down Mexico Way.”
Their heads turned and their eyes opened by their travels, they found jobs and built new lives in America and elsewhere.
Adder - that’s Gary Allen, who lives now in Atlanta - said: “The documentary was supposed to be a 10 minutes 'taster' to submit to big film companies. But it was so good they said it had to be longer and so we made it just under 40 minutes to submit to film festivals coming up.
“I had this story in my head for way over 10 years and it needed sharing. When I teamed up with production company Eight Engines, they loved it from the get-go and said it was one of the best lads’ adventures they could share.”
English football fans, mostly from Stourbridge area, who went to follow England in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, pictured in Dallas early in the campaign. Back row, second from left, is Stuart Bates, aka Batesy; back row, far right in white T shirt, is Steve Dawson, aka Texas Steve, an American they met and befriended; middle row, right with striped shirt, is Gary Allen, aka Adder, who lives now in Atlanta and supplied the picture.placeholder image
English football fans, mostly from Stourbridge area, who went to follow England in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, pictured in Dallas early in the campaign. Back row, second from left, is Stuart Bates, aka Batesy; back row, far right in white T shirt, is Steve Dawson, aka Texas Steve, an American they met and befriended; middle row, right with striped shirt, is Gary Allen, aka Adder, who lives now in Atlanta and supplied the picture.
Gary, Stuart Bates (Batesy), David Arnold (Arnie), and Garry Hardwicke (Rabbit Head) were among a group of lads who jetted off to follow the England ’86 campaign. Rabbit Head said he was nipping out to get a pint of milk. He was away for 12 years.
They called themselves The Disco Firm, and were all from Stourbridge and Lye, with the exception of Arnie, who was from Solihull and a Birmingham City fan.
In Monterrey, Mexico, with their hard drinking, partying ways, they were the subject of fascination and curiosity among the locals.
Some of the Stourbridge fans out in Mexico to support England in the 1986 World Cup.placeholder image
Some of the Stourbridge fans out in Mexico to support England in the 1986 World Cup.
Crossing the border into America, Texans in a clubhouse saw these young, fit English lads and asked if they were the English soccer team. Naturally they said yes. Batesy assured one lady that he was Peter Shilton, the England goalkeeper, while another maintained he was Gary Lineker.
And they met Steve Dawson - Texas Steve - who has been a friend ever since. He tells in the documentary how he regarded them as English football hooligans, but found he was a kindred spirit who fell in love with them, and soon had their chants ringing in his ears, like “Everywhere we go-o, people want to know-o, where the hell are you from, we’re from Wolver-ampton.”
Sharing memories, from left, Stuart Bates, Gary Allen, and Steve Dawson.placeholder image
Sharing memories, from left, Stuart Bates, Gary Allen, and Steve Dawson.
In the wake of their 1986 adventure Gary would go on to build a company from scratch turning over 20 million dollars annually before retiring last year. Stu was, and remains, successful in the car industry in Houston, while Arnie stayed in Mexico where he became head of a school in Monterrey, where he still lives. Sadly Rabbit Head, who was a painter in Atlanta who moved to Florida, died two years ago. All are identified only by their nicknames in the documentary.
They were not the only fans who stayed abroad. Others went to different American states, some to Australia, and some to southern France.
The documentary, which can be viewed on YouTube, (see World Cup 1986 Football Documentary: Lost Down Mexico Way) was filmed on location in America and Mexico.
Lost Down Mexico Way can be viewed on YouTube.placeholder image
Lost Down Mexico Way can be viewed on YouTube. | Credit: Eight Engines
Gary said: “We literally shot 15-plus hours of film and so there is so much more to use. At first we were told it would make a great six-part series, but that is still in the making.
“There are so many crazy stories in that footage it’s unreal. Even film crew couldn't believe some of stuff we told them. Thousands have viewed the documentary since its release and it’s becoming very popular with football fans around the country. Some of the comments tell you how 'real' it is and how it's a time capsule of football.”
The lads return to Britain regularly to see family and watch Wolves and Birmingham City games.
England fans at the 1986 Mexico World Cup.placeholder image
England fans at the 1986 Mexico World Cup.
They will hold a 40-year reunion at the England game near Dallas on June 17, while Arnie is also hosting a reunion in Mexico with fellow Blues lads and other fans.
Gary said: “The film was made to coincide with this year’s World Cup, as it’s obviously perfect timing.”
In 1986 England’s hopes were dashed at the quarter final stage by Maradona and his Hand Of God, but Gary is quietly optimistic this time round.
“I think we all feel this is strongest team we've had in years, but I have said that before. I spent a fortune going over to Berlin for the 2024 Euro finals only to be beaten by Spain and I thought we had a strong team then, but I do feel Tuchel has what it takes for us to lift the trophy 60 years since the last time we lifted it, lol.”
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