England fans’ hearts are broken in Manchester as it becomes clear football is not coming home

Mancunian hearts were broken when thousands of supporters at the city’s fan park watched England crash out of the world cup on a big screen.

Hopes had already begun to fade before Croatia scored their winning goal and there were cries of agony when the ball hit the back of the net.

Even a late rendition of God Save the Queen failed to rally the 8,000-strong crowd at Castlefield Bowl at the start of extra time.

Football was not coming home

“I’m worried, but I’ve got my fingers crossed,” said 27-year-old Charlie Conroy as the clock ticked away.

As the final whistle killed off England’s hopes of reliving the glory of 1966, it was finally became clear that football was not coming home.

Men held their heads in their hands and others kicked out at thin air before walking heavily away into the night.

In the midst of the crowd that remained stunned in front of the screen, someone lit a solitary red flare.

Drenched in beer

Earlier, supporters were drenched in beer when the fan park in Manchester erupted following Kieran Trippier’s first half goal.

Fans threw their drinks into the air the frenzy when the free-kick hit the target after just five minutes.

On the brick railway viaduct above, a man could be seen with his arms outstretched and fists held aloft from the open window of a passenger train.

Then there were gasps and thousands of hands held on to heads when Harry Kane almost scored a second goal on the half hour.

‘It’s coming home’

“It’s coming home,” a man shouted as he made his way through a sea of England shirts and paint faces to the bar at half time.

“I’m feeling really confident,” said Danny Stroud, 26, who was among supporters watching the game before Croatia scored  their equaliser. “We’re in control and we’ve had an ideal start.”

Earlier supporters, many of them too young to remember England’s last semi-final in 1990, had listened to the Stone Roses and Happy Mondays broadcast from loudspeakers as they waited for the kick-off.

Callum Rusholme, 17, said just before the game began: “I remember my dad telling me when I was growing up about Italia 90 and the penalty shootout and how horrible it was. I just hope they can do it tonight.”

 

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