'It's Coming Home!' chant England's oldest football fans in nation's care homes

England’s Euro 2020 football squad caused some real chanting and flag waving as England’s oldest football fans in care homes across the land celebrated a historic win over Germany.

England beat Germany in a knockout game at a major tournament for the first time since England’s 1966 World Cup win and care homes across the country cheered and sang as the national side sent Germany home.

It only took 55 years but football fans in care homes old enough to remember England winning the World Cup went wild after a 2-0 victory.

After over a year of lockdown, care home crowds were ready for fun and a bit of good news.

Elmstead Care Home in Chislehurst, London put up an extra-large screen and bought lots of England flags in readiness for the match.

"I’ve seen England beat them once and I know we can do it again", said Brian Osborn speaking before the match against Germeny.

He lives at Elmstead Care Home and was in Wembley stadium when England won the World Cup. The 77-year-old remembers the atmosphere at Wembley 55 years ago when England lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Recalling England’s 1966 World Cup win, he said: “When Hurst scored his last-minute goal, the whole stadium erupted.

“The atmosphere was electric and extended way beyond Wembley – it boosted the nation."

England manager Gareth Southgate may have left his waistcoat at home, but he brought to Wembley something far sharper- a battle plan against Germany that would end their heartbreaking reign over the British psyche.

Southgate can now sleep easier after chasing away old nightmares of his penalty miss against Germany in the Euro 96 semi-final.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who has yet to concede a goal in the tournament, did not disappoint.

Raheem Sterling scored after 75 minutes to send England's fans crazy and a second goal four minutes from time, sent out waves of shock as captain Harry Kane headed the ball into the net.

People living at Hunters Down care home in Huntington cheered and waved flags wildly as England sent home Germany, days after residents recorded the classic football anthem ‘Three Lions’.

Residents at Hunters Down Care Home had got kitted out in England flags, hots and scarfs to record their version of the 1996 hit by The Lightning Seeds, David Baddiel and Frank Skinner. The video features residents and care workers waving flags and singing the chorus ‘It’s coming home’.

“Everyone at Hunters Down hopes this video helps to spur on the England team and their supporters to bring home the trophy and reclaim the title of the best in Europe,” said a spokesperson at the care home, run by Excelcare group.

Resident Joan Diggles at Elmstead Care Home had celebrated her 95th birthday on Monday and said as a birthday gift she had wanted England to go “through to the semis.”

“Some people think football is a young man’s game but they’re wrong. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman, young or old.

“It brings people together, getting behind the team.

“I might not be your typical fan, but I’ve got my flag ready to wave and I’ll be cheering just as loud as anyone else.”

Comics David Baddiel and Frank Skinner sum up England's past performances in their chart-topping 'Three Lions' anthem and fans in care homes are chanting... "Everyone seems to know the score. They've seen it all before…But I know they can play 'cause I remember."

click here for more details or to contact Hunters Down Care Home