England team may still have a World Cup reception … in Sheffield

ENGLAND’S only World Cup homecoming celebration could take place in Sheffield after the city’s mayor declared it a “no-brainer” to mark the region’s contribution to the Three Lions with a formal reception.

Manager Gareth Southgate decided to keep his team’s return from Russia a low-key affair and has ruled out a homecoming parade, despite England reaching the tournament’s semi-final for the first time in almost 30 years.

But civic leaders in South Yorkshire are keen to celebrate the fact that a quarter of the 23-man squad comes from the region.

Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Jamie Vardy and Danny Rose are all from South Yorkshire, while Fabian Delph is from Bradford in West Yorkshire and Gary Cahill hails from Dronfield, a town south of Sheffield.

Dan Jarvis, Labour MP and Sheffield city region mayor, said that it was a “no-brainer” to celebrate the success of Yorkshire-born players.

He said: “Players from our region have made an outstanding contribution to the World Cup. We should find an appropriate way to both recognise their achievements and maximise the legacy benefits for the next generation.

“Any event would be very wellattended, and it would demonstrate our thanks and a recognition of the contribution of players from the region to the England team in the World Cup.”

Given that there are no plans to celebrate the squad’s performance in London, a public reception in Sheffield would be the country’s only homecoming event.

Julie Dore, the leader of Sheffield city council, echoed the calls for a celebration. She wrote to Martin Glenn, FA chief executive, before England’s semifinal defeat to Croatia on Wednesday, inviting the organisation to host any “welcome home” party in Sheffield.

The team touched down in Birmingham Airport yesterday afternoon but the FA reiterated to fans there was no public reception planned at the airport.

“Thank you for your unbelievable support throughout this World Cup journey,” the association said in a message to England Supporters Club members on Saturday.

“This team has never felt closer to the fans and the nation than they do today. Following this evening’s match, the squad will privately return to England and go their separate ways for a well-earned break.”