Football Did Come Home, Just Not As We Expected

As we spent the best part of two months belting out the words of Baddiel and Skinner, we imagined a summer of celebrations and glory. With each stage of the competition, the nervous grumblings grew louder, but so did the hopelessly optimistic verses of Three Lions and World in Motion. From the moment that Kane struck home a penalty rebound in the semi-final against Denmark, England fans were swept up in the unavoidable excitement that the national game may finally bring home pride and a trophy.

When we sing ‘it’s coming home’, outsiders hear arrogance and nativity. So what does it mean? Pre-Euro 2020, it meant finally restoring International domination on the grass, and ending those so-called years of hurt. After the pain of Sunday night’s penalty defeat, football may actually have really packed its bags for the short journey home from Wembley, but not for the reasons we had planned.

For years, England fans remained detached from their national team. Half-baked campaigns, failed tournaments and fragmented squads represented a generally stale era of football. The 2018 World Cup in Russia was the turning point, where a new manager with a youthful and exciting squad reignited hopes of success. Entering Euro 2020, after a year of sacrifice and loss, Southgate and his squad of 26 faced the task of bringing it home, with the events of the last 12 months looming in recent memory.

The squad of 26 did not even fully represent the talent pool at England’s disposal. However, those who made the final cut were a mixture of both experienced professionals, Southgate favourites and new, exciting additions like Saka, Foden and Grealish. It was this initial buzz around the squad that made the campaign feel different to any of those prior in many of our lifetimes.

Beyond the pitch, this bunch represented us as a nation. A squad of different backgrounds, but all with the unifying factor that they were driven, passionate and acted as role models for each of their communities respectively. Their strong standpoint in the taking of the knee, engagement with young fans, and their truly eloquent media duties reflected a generational squad of simply lovely young men.

In the whirlwind of biweekly games, wholesome social media content and improving performances on the pitch, the mood around the camp seemed fantastic. This radiated to the public, as more and more became absorbed in the infectious charm of the team. With restrictions simultaneously easing and summer in full bloom, England fans were drunk in love.

Despite a heartbreaking collapse in the final, and some frustrations about the performance, not all hope was lost. Perhaps football’s journey home was more than just a process of improved play and momentous performances. The journey became one of national pride, unity and glory in the excellent bunch of lads with the three lions on their chests.

A social, political and humanitarian conscience amongst this England camp made some of us prouder than any trophy could. Many feel more represented, seen and empowered by this side than any that has come prior. Southgate may have his critics, but the culture of England in 2021 is something we could only have dreamt of ten years ago.

This pride can and will carry the boys to success in the future. Football came home this summer when it engaged millions and encapsulated what it truly means to be English; brave, passionate, caring.

Jules Rimet is still gleaming, and so are the hearts of England fans who witnessed the real spirit of our beautiful game return home to us, in our hour of need. This is just the beginning.