Millions of England fans headed down the pub tonight to see Three Lions kick off their Euro campaign with a win against Serbia.
They headed to their local, to bars, clubs and restaurants, to see our long-awaited opener as rain hit many parts of the UK. A 17m TV audience was predicted, the biggest of the year so far. Around 2m watched in 35,000 pubs across the UK or at fan zones in Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Hastings.
Loyal supporters were left singing in the rain in the Times Square fan zone in Newcastle upon Tyne. There were heavy showers before kick off but retired engineer Phil Storey insisted the tournament had got off to a flying start.
"The big teams, Germany, Italy, Spain, have all started in an attacking fashion," said Phil, 64, who lives in the city. "England needed to do the same thing, to show that they meant business. And they did just that with a great early goal."
Fans at Diecast Bar in Manchester (JOHN MATHER/IMAGE VIEW)In Manchester, United fan Paul Eaton, 58, originally from Rossendale, Lancs., backed Southgate's side to go all the way. The charity worker added: "They did so well in the last Euros, you feel like it could be their time at long last. They have so much talent in the side, a good mix of young players like Jude Bellingham, who scored another great goal, alongside the experience of Harry Kane. I think Southgate has done really well, I believe we can go all the way to the final again."
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In the south of England, fan zones enjoyed warmer weather. Civil servant David Delves, 58, a Spurs fan of Cheltenham, Glos, thinks Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are key. "Kane has had such a tremendous season in Germany," he said. "That has to count for something. We've some great young players, all of them in top form in the Premier League and beyond.
In the south of England, fan zones enjoyed warmer weather (JOHN MATHER/IMAGE VIEW)"Bellingham has been a revelation for Real Madrid, and he was again for England." Footy fever is set to provide a huge boost to the UK economy. The British Beer and Pub Association said the Euros could see around 777m pints sold, generating turnover of £2.2bn That was based on an 'average' performance from England, so it could be even higher if Gareth Southgate can take them all the way to the final. It also factored in Scotland ’s qualification.
Injured Harry Maguire posed with his daughters Lillie Saint Maguire, five, and four-year-old Piper Rose, wearing their England shirts, while Phil Foden's son Ronnie, five, sent his dad a good luck 'Father's Day' message in his full kit. Rising star Adam Wharton, at his first major tournament, was cheered on by his brother and fellow footballer Scott, of Blackburn Rovers, who drove all the way to Germany from Lancashire.
Fans at the 4theFans Central Park in Newcastle watching the UEFA Euro 2024 Group C match (PA) Back home, Nick Mackenzie, CEO of pub chain Greene King, said huge numbers of fans were enjoying the Euros down their local.
"There is no better place to watch the game than down the pub," he told the Mirror. "We welcome everyone, more than 20,000 pubs across the country are showing the games.
"It is about hosting the nation, young, old, whatever your background. You can enjoy the atmosphere and have a pint." An extra 20m are set to be served during the Euros. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: "Fans cheering on the Three Lions know that the pub is the best place to be."
England fans celebrate their first goal at Boxpark in Liverpool (Liverpool Echo)On the Kirby estate in Bermondsey, London, local hero Eberechi Eze was given his own mural. "He grew up in Greenwich and we think he is an absolutely fantastic talent and an up and coming superstar," said local resident Chris Dowse.
"We always go into tournaments expecting to win and then get disappointed. Hopefully this time that’s not going to happen and we can have a big party come the final."
Fans headed to their local, to bars, clubs and restaurants, to see our long-awaited opener (Paul Currie/REX/Shutterstock)Tesco expects to sell 33 million packs of beer and cider over the coming month but is also predicting it will sell 5.5 million bottles and cans of "no" and "low" alcohol options - a record for a major football tournament. Wine sales are expected to top 30 million bottles, alongside more than 11 million pies, and more than 90,000 packs of bunting. Police in the UK have warned that excessive drinking during the tournament may contribute to a potential rise in domestic abuse.
Lancaster University found there was a 38% increase in domestic violence incidents when England lost a game between 2002 and 2010, and a 26% rise when they won. Women's aid charity Solace and the National Centre for Domestic Violence, have created an alternative England kit - "Shirt 38" - to raise awareness of the support available to anyone experiencing domestic abuse as part of their "No More Injury Time" campaign.
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