LET'S FIX '96

- THIS IS MORE THAN A FOOTBALL GAME.

I’m not huge follower of football per se but when it comes to England I am there with the best of them. I am a kid of the 90s and Euro 96 was where it started. Sticker books, wall planners, T-shirt’s, swapsies- I’ll give you my Anderton for your Fowler. Fights broke out on the playground.

I mean what a lineup of absolute football legends.

We sat there. The whole family. We winced when it came to penalties and our hearts sank at THAT missed shot. We were all with Gazza as the tears rolled down his cheek.

That’s where it started for me. And this is why the Southgate story is such a beautiful one.

But this is more than just a football game.

Being away from home you realise just how patriotic you are. How important your country and your culture is. It’s literally what makes you. The Euros has been a magnificent display of national celebration, national togetherness and national PRIDE.

Watching the fans in the stands on tv from the other side of the Atlantic has been an absolute joy. To see the happiness and positivity. To say ‘THESE ARE MY PEOPLE’ , and ‘THAT IS MY COUNTRY’ I have never felt more proud.

To see a sea of red and white, the St. George flag synonymous with ‘football culture’ being waved around frantically in such a harmonious fashion is what this is all about.

After over a year of such darkness, isolation and mourning for many, how wonderful is it that’s something as simple as a ‘football game’ can really have such a affect on so many.

This is more than just a football game. THIS IS ENGLAND.

#itscominghome and #itsfootballnotsoccer