Tommy Morrison, 38, and Jillian Roberts, 42, met in Boston (Image: Supplied)
A smitten Tartan Army member has discovered love across the Atlantic following an unexpected meeting with a Boston local. Tommy Morrison, 38, and Jillian Roberts, 42, have become a couple after encountering each other entirely by chance during Scotland’s takeover of Fenway Park on Tuesday, June 16.
Jillian purchased tickets with companions to watch the Red Sox face the Toronto Blue Jays for Pride Night festivities. However, she was entirely oblivious that thousands of Scottish football supporters were also converging on America’s oldest ballpark during the World Cup.
The Boston resident has subsequently arranged flights to Scotland at the conclusion of next month as the rapid romance continues to flourish. She explained: “I wasn’t even aware that the Tartan Army were even going to be there. All I knew was that it was Pride night but it was full of Scottish people., the Daily Record reports.
“As I was walking to my car, I met Tommy who was on his way to the train station. Some of his buddies were there and we just started chatting. I recorded that first video with no expectation and we had a little connection.”
The duo parted ways without swapping contact details, but almost instantly she recognised her error. Jillian, frontwoman of local party band Disco Lemonade, stated: “As soon as he walked away, I thought, ‘Oh shoot, I should have gotten his number’.”
They met by chance (Image: Supplied)
Then destiny stepped in through an unexpected channel when one of Tommy’s former partners came across Jillian’s social media post.
She recounted: “One of his ex-girlfriends actually commented on the TikTok saying she knew Tommy and how much of an awesome guy he was. I saw it and messaged her asking if she could get me his number. Ever since we’ve been messaging on WhatsApp and connected really well.
“We tried to work in time to see each other before he went down to Miami. We haven’t stopped talking since. We managed to meet up after Miami too.”
Tommy, a joiner from Bonnyrigg, confesses he never imagined a casual quip would blossom into a genuine relationship. He recalled: “We met at the baseball. We were speaking in the street. She asked me what I liked about Boston? I gave her the Scottish charm and said, ‘You’.
Jillian plans to visit Scotland (Image: Supplied)
“It was a Pride night so I wasn’t expecting anything from it. I was just being friendly. We laughed for five minutes then she went one way and I went the other. Luckily it was one of the ex’s that I get along with that commented on the video. Next thing I knew Jillian and I were texting constantly.”
The courtship rapidly accelerated, with Tommy spending three figures on a taxi journey to visit her following Scotland’s defeat in Foxborough. Tommy revealed: “She said her friends wanted to meet up with mine – which she has since admitted was a lie and she just wanted to see me.
“There was a bit of flirty texting then I went to one of her gigs after the Scotland v Morocco game. I got a £100 Uber from Gillette Stadium so I could make it in time.
“We spent a couple of days together before I went to Miami. I ended up going back to Boston after the Brazil game to spend more time with her before flying home. We met by chance and it’s been great.”
Their first proper date even brought an unexpected taste of celebrity status, after the pair were recognised from their widely-shared social media clips. Jillian said: “We parked up near the aquarium and did some sightseeing. We even ran into a few people, Scottish and locals, who recognised us from the TikTok.
“It was so surprising. People were so friendly and super interested to hear our unique story.”
For Jillian, the whirlwind romance was the furthest thing from her mind when Scotland descended on Boston. She said: “I never expected to meet a boyfriend all because of Scotland playing in the World Cup. I’m a sports fan but the World Cup wasn’t even on my radar.
“The biggest thing we were stressed out with was the traffic. Then the Scottish turned up and there was so much which resonated between our cultures. It reminded us to be more carefree and to take ourselves less seriously. It was like a breath of fresh air.
“Although, people often ask me what the Scots were like and I would respond, ‘Well I can tell you what Tommy is like’. It was just a genuine personal connection.
Tommy and Jillian are going strong (Image: Supplied)
“We are now boyfriend and girlfriend and are doing a long-distance relationship so it has been a lot of FaceTimes.”
The budding romance has already prompted Jillian to arrange a transatlantic trip. She revealed: “I have bought a plane ticket to go see him in Scotland at the end of August.
“I would never have thought I’d be visiting Scotland a month after all of the Scottish fans visited Boston. I was completely surprised by the whole thing.”
Tommy returned home to find that Jillian had wasted no time in arranging their next meeting. He added: “I stepped foot on the plane home on June 30. By the time I landed, she had a flight booked to Scotland for the end of August.
“We have an ongoing joke that she thinks everyone in Scotland lives in castles and wears kilts every day. So I am planning a special surprise so she gets that full experience.”
