Heroes every one of them, they made history by getting to the final of a major tournament for the first time in 55 years.
On the night it was painfully not to be for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions.
But every player and member of staff, particularly Southgate himself, can be immensely proud of what they have achieved.
They gave us back our pride as a country and delivered a thrilling few weeks of sport.
We’ve enjoyed an energetic, hopeful, happy country expressing itself after the misery of nearly a year and a half of livelihoods and lives being lost to the insidious Covid-19.
Southgate’s band of brothers represent all that is best in our nation.
They are ambassadors for a brighter future, successful young men from mostly ordinary and occasionally challenged backgrounds who never forget the families and people they grew up with.
The 1966 World Cup win was an achievement that marked an end to the hardships caused by war.
Let’s make this brush with glory a similar landmark moment, a time when Britain comes together to face its troubles as one instead of fighting amongst ourselves.
TOGETHERNESS
Football fans came together to commiserate, any political differences forgotten.
Politicians, and particularly a Prime Minister who hitherto displayed no interest in the sport, would be wise to heed the yearning for togetherness rather than cynically seek to hijack it for their own dubious ends.
Southgate demonstrated true leadership and a refreshing understanding of a modern country instead of being stuck in the past.
As we consider how close England’s men’s football team came to winning a major international competition for the first time since 1966, another 55-year wait feels unlikely and, anyway, is far too painful to contemplate.
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But as we consider what could have been, let us all celebrate what was achieved and think of how it could power wider change.
We have an opportunity to build a genuinely better country. The future is in our hands and last night proved that we are strong enough to count ourselves among the very best.
Cry England for Harry, Gareth, Raheem, Jordan, Declan, Kalvin and St George!
