Blackburn Rovers star Scott Wharton drives across Europe to support brother Adam at Euro 2024

Jon Macpherson
·3-min read

Adam Wharton's brother may not be able to fly to Germany this summer, but the 26-year-old has found a way to support his younger sibling during England's Euro 2024 campaign.

The former Blackburn Rovers midfielder emerged as one of England's most promising young talents during last season's Premier League campaign with Crystal Palace. His performances earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad.

The 20-year-old is yet to make his competitive debut for the Three Lions, but that could change later this month as England aim to bring home some silverware. Being in Germany represents a significant rise for Wharton, who just a few months ago was playing alongside his brother, Scott, at Rovers in the Championship.

READ MORE:

Scott has ensured he won't miss his brother's big day - even if it means undertaking a massive road trip to circumvent medical advice against him flying, reports the Mirror. The Rovers defender is currently recuperating from major knee surgery after sustaining an injury against Sheffield Wednesday in April.

He is expected to be out for at least nine months and will miss large parts of next season. It's a harsh setback for the former Ribblesdale High School pupil, who had been in excellent form following John Eustace's arrival, but was also advised by doctors that he couldn't fly to Germany to watch his brother Adam play.

Despite doctor's orders grounding him from flying, Scott has circumvented the restriction with an epic road trip to see the tournament. "I can't fly for two months and it's been six weeks," he explained to ITV Granada ahead of England's initial 1-0 triumph over Serbia on Sunday night.

"So me and my partner, we're driving to Hull to catch the ferry to Rotterdam and then drive into Dusseldorf, where we're staying for the first game. So it's more of a road trip, I'm looking forward to it!"

Adam and Scott are both products of Blackburn's youth system. In the previous winter transfer window, Wharton Jnr secured a move to Palace for a hefty £22.5million.

His transfer paid off quickly as he notched up 16 appearances in the top division last term, drawing Gareth Southgate's attention. Wharton made his England debut with a 30-minute appearance in the friendly 3-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Despite being a newcomer on the international stage, Southgate saw fit to include the young talent in his squad for the Euros. Reflecting on his brother's achievement, Scott couldn't hide his emotions.

"Honestly I feel just like a proud dad," he shared. "The family obviously is massively proud of him, of how far he's come in such a short space of time.

"At the start of season, I don't think anyone would have predicted what's happened to him. So the fact that he's coming on for England, playing with some of the best players in the world is just incredible."

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest stories

  • India manipulating the draw for own benefit has turned T20 World Cup into a farce

    There really is no excuse for India this time if they fail to win the World Cup. The game’s financial behemoth has been handed an advantage by the structure of a tournament skewed in favour of one team for financial reasons.

  • Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer renew attack on ‘baffling’ Gareth Southgate decision

    Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have launched another attack on Gareth Southgate’s team selection and tactics after England were booed off in their final European Championship group game against Slovenia.

  • Gareth Southgate: ‘I am the problem’

    Gareth Southgate has admitted being England’s major problem at the European Championship, plunging his future as manager in doubt beyond the tournament.

  • The England player who should start in the last 16 - and two who badly underperformed

    How did the players fare in England’s goalless draw with Slovenia in their final group game at the Euros?

  • Cristiano Ronaldo made instant dressing room change – the young players were gobsmacked

    One footballer has described the instant dressing room change that Cristiano Ronaldo implemented later in his career, which had younger stars in the squad flabbergasted

  • Paul Scholes proven right over England plea and says who must play in Euro 2024 KO games

    Paul Scholes was proven right after several positive cameos in England's 0-0 draw against Slovenia which saw them top Group C at Euro 2024

  • David de Gea sends three-word transfer message as former Man United player seeks summer move

    Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea hasn't played a competitive football match since May 2023

  • Watch: Serbia fans chant Vladimir Putin’s name amid violent clashes with German police

    There were violent clashes between Serbia fans and riot police before the country’s final European Championship group game against Denmark.

  • Voices: Don’t blame Southgate – England’s dire performance at the Euros isn’t down to him

    COMMENT: After being held to a goalless draw against Slovenia, the England boss – who was bottled off the pitch and faces calls for his sacking – pointed the finger at fans for creating an ‘unusual environment’. So whose fault is it really, asks Gemma Abbott

  • England player ratings vs Slovenia: Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer make impact after Conor Gallagher nightmare

    Substitutes offer only bright points in another hugely laboured Three Lions performance at Euro 2024

  • Rangers address Ibrox venue switch after SPFL release Premiership fixtures

    Rangers have released a statement to supporters regarding the alternative arrangements for their first matches of the new campaign.

  • Denmark go through in second – thanks to a yellow card shown to Slovenia coach

    In a bizarre turn of events in Group C, Denmark finished in second place because of a yellow card shown to a member of Slovenia’s coaching staff earlier in the tournament.

  • Nan has shock reaction to 130mph motorbike racing

    A man captured his nan's amazing reaction during a motorbike racing event. Ollie Wildsmith, 29, took his nan Sheila Goodwin, 78, to see the TT Races, an annual motorcycle racing event in the Isle of Man. Video shows Sheila's shocked reaction as motorbikes whiz past her at 130mph. Ollie, a marketing manager from Derby, Derbyshire, said: "She was left speechless after all the bikes had gone by and you can see how strongly she's reacting in the video! "I do really think that you can't put into words what it's like to experience the TT races unless you've been before.

  • 'ITV's Euro 2024 coverage is wiping the floor with the BBC'

    As the Euros reach the knock-out stages, it's clear that ITV's coverage is leagues ahead of the BBC's.

  • England’s route to the final: Possible opponents in the Euro 2024 knockout stages

    Should England miraculously transform into a tournament threat at these Euros, their path to the final in Berlin is at least inviting

  • Euro 2024 fans: Ranking all 24 sets of supporters in Germany from worst to best

    If you can overlook the growing number of forgettable matches, there is joy everywhere at this European Championship.

  • Chelsea: What Alexander Isak has said about Newcastle exit amid Blues interest

    Chelsea have reportedly made contact over a huge summer deal

  • Why Finns are deadly serious about hobby horsing

    A buzz of excitement crackled through the hushed arena as the rider gripped the reins of her stuffed steed.Welcome to the strangely exacting world of hobby horsing, the Finnish sport guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Immaculately-coiffed equestrians leap athletically over fences just like in horse jumping, going as fast as they can against the clock straddling their stick steeds.Things are more stately in the dressage, with riders trotting their stick horses with intricately decorated stuffed heads before the discerning eyes of the judges.Some 260 riders from 22 countries -- most women and girls aged between 10 and 20 -- turned up to compete at the 11th annual Finnish championship held in the town of Seinajoki.But despite its vast international reach, from the Arctic to Argentina, hobby horsing is a sport that dares not speak its name.- 'Insane' athleticism -Despite its soaring popularity, it is not officially recognised as a proper sport in its birthplace."We have faced so much bullying and judgement," rider Nara Arlin, 24, told AFP."We know what everyone in the hobby horsing has been through... I think that is the main thing that pulls us together."First invented in Finland more than a decade ago, hobby horsing has taken off at a gallop across the globe. "It is growing every year," said Julia Mikkonen, the chair of the Finnish hobby horse association.This year's championship was "the biggest we have had so far", she added.Beyond the whimsy, great strength and skill is required to jump the obstacles while holding the hobby horse. Some top competitors could give elite hurdlers or gymnasts a run for their money."If you jump over obstacles your hip mobility has to be absolutely insane," said Mikkonen, 20, with some fences up to 110 centimetres (3.6 feet) tall. - 10,000 enthusiasts -"Of course we are all dreaming of having a world championship one day," said Mikkonen, who estimates there are around 10,000 hobby horsers globally."I am still a bit breathless but I am happy with my performance", said 19-year-old Jojo Hanninen as she sat down after her dressage event. To succeed in the sport you have to channel your inner centaur, she said."In hobby horsing, my legs are the horse... I am both horse and human," she said. Hanninen's hobby horse is a grey called Toope, with glittery reins and pink ribbons adorning its white mane.- Welcoming community -Competitors go to great lengths with their horses -- which are also exhibited and judged -- modelling and sewing the heads and adorning them with decorations.  "Hobby horses are art," said Arlin, who makes her own.With the cheers of the crowd still ringing in her ears after an impressive show jumping round, she hailed the sport as "the best hobby ever"."You are doing so many things with your hands, brain and the whole body."Like many of her peers, Arlin found hobby horsing through play as a child. "But the older I became, it became more serious," said the rider, who trains by riding real horses, working out in the gym and doing pole dancing.Rainbow flags in the arena reflected the tolerant values underpinning the community.   "Horses are mostly seen as a girls' sport, but that is not correct. Anyone can come no matter what gender," Mikkonen said.   Every enthusiast AFP spoke to praised the welcoming community that kept them devoted to hobby horsing despite the scornful attitudes all encountered at some point."We have each other's backs," said Arlin. ank/po/fg/smw

  • I played with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man United - I know his true thoughts when he passed to Bruno Fernandes

    Cristiano Ronaldo set up former Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes for Portugal's third goal in their 3-0 win over Turkey at Euro 2024

  • 'Finalising terms' - Man United look set to confirm £27m deal 'by end of the week'

    Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is on the verge of agreeing a new contract