Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Let’s stay united
England team praises fans for togetherness
ENGLAND’S football players have applauded fans for their World Cup show of unity and vowed to come back even stronger next time.
Kyle Walker, 28, led the tributes on behalf of the new generation of stars after the team’s heartbreaking semi-final loss to Croatia.
He told supporters on
Twitter: “I’ve seen videos going around, photos sent to me. That felt so good for us, and united us more and more, just like it did in our country.
“We might live in a time where sometimes it’s easier to be negative than positive, or to divide than to unite, but England: let’s keep this unity alive.”
Marcus Rashford, 20, also paid tribute after Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat.
He said: “Really tough right now but this team’s special... we’ll be back. Hopefully this is the start of the future.”
Jesse Lingard described it as an “honour” to represent his nation.
“We have a great bunch of lads willing to learn and give everything,” said Lingard, 25, who was comforted by mum Kirsty.
“We can hold our heads high. Thank you to everyone who supported our journey. We don’t stop here!”
Trent Alexander-arnold, the youngest in the 23-man squad at just 19, said he was “absolutely devastated” that the journey was over.
But he went on: “We enjoyed every moment as a nation. I’d like to thank all the staff and fans for being behind us. It has been an honour to be a part of this special team. We will be back stronger.”
ITV said the match was watched by 26.5 million viewers at its peak, the
We live in a time when sometimes it can be easier to be negative or to divide KYLE WALKER ON HOW WORLD CUP BROUGHT US TOGETHER
biggest audience since the London 2012 closing ceremony. It means that around 40% of the UK population tuned in at some point.
Kieran Trippier, 27, who scored a magnificent free kick in the defeat, said: “Last night hurt and will for a while. We must take positives from the last few weeks and look to the future.
“What a great set of team-mates and staff, it’s been a journey we can be proud of. Thank you to all the fans.”
Harry Maguire, 25, tweeted: “Devastated. Absolutely gutted. Thanks to the fans for your incredible support.”
Gareth Southgate’s dejected players got back to their training base in Repino near St Petersburg early yesterday.
The boss gave them a day off to see the historic city with their families before a final training session today.
They face Belgium in the third-place play off in St Petersburg tomorrow – and captain Harry Kane, 24, is set to stay on despite his fiancee Katie Goodland expecting their second child.
Fans back in England can next see the Three Lions in action when Spain visit Wembley on September 8.
FA President Prince William was among the first to tell them of the country’s pride in their performances in Russia. He added: “We know there is more to come from this team.”
Southgate said the team would bounce back as he paid tribute to fans.
“Two years ago after Euro 2016 we were in a bad place,” said the boss. “We heard the fans singing our names after a defeat like that and we know they are going to be hurting. But they were well behind us and believed in us and that is a very good feeling.”
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret at the boycott of the game by the Government over the Novichok poisoning scandal.
“They missed British officials in the stands,” said Kremlin spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. “This is their choice, but at some point it is necessary to stop following the nonsense line that politicians of the UK launched before the World Cup. We regret the England team is out but they showed great play. This is sport.”