Pubs cheer football final despite England defeat

PUBS in Henley enjoyed a busy night on Sunday thanks to England’s appearance in the European Championship final.

Hundreds of fans gathered to watch the game on television live from Berlin, although there was disappointment in the end as Spain won 2-1.

Pubs had set up televisions and decorated their gardens with Euros flag bunting.

Before the 8pm kick-off, eager supporters were sporting England shirts from different eras. Some had England flags around their shoulders and the flag painted on their faces.

At the Argyll in Market Place, more than 200 people were cheering on the team indoors and in the pub garden under a canopy.

The pub erupted with singing and clapping during the half-time interval as fans sang Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home).

Just before half-time fans stood up and let out a huge cheer as Jude Bellingham nearly scored.

The loudest cheer though, came when Cole Palmer came on as a substitute to equalise in the second half. Fans lifted their drinks in the air and continued to sing.

As the second half continued the atmosphere grew tense before Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal scored his country’s second goal with four minutes to play.

James Duncan, general manager of the pub, said it had been fully booked just 25 minutes after the semi-final in which England beat the Netherlands 2-1.

He said: “We were taking walk-ins but mainly reservations because of health and safety.

“Trade has been 10 times better since the start of the Euros. The quarter-final was regatta Saturday and it was fully booked. We have 12 TVs in total and about 10 outside.”

There were outdoor booths at the Argyll, each with a built-in screen.

Zoe Burroughs, 27, watched the match with her friends Reuben Donaghy, 22, and Sammy Bower, 26, from Henley, and Sophie Lane, 26, from Marlow.

She said: “I think the Argyll is the best place in Henley to watch football. We booked to come here about 10 minutes before we won the last game because it books out really quick so I knew I had to get in early. For most of the game I couldn’t look at the TV but every time Southgate brought on subs they made a difference. The final goal came out of nowhere and I was so praying it was offside. It went dead quiet when Spain scored.”

Mr Bower said: “We were just chatting when suddenly they scored and it got very primal and everyone started screaming.

“It wasn’t a great game but I thought England did really well. I thought they were going to get really battered. Gareth Southgate has been getting a lot of flack but he has really made a difference.”

Casper Clark, 20, and Daisy Gates, 21, were in the pub garden.

Mr Clark said: “I feel awful. I’m deflated. Our game plan for the whole tournament was to get to the final playing s*** football and then end up being lucky because we’re not the best team.”

At the Bird in Hand in Greys Road, about 50 people were shoulder-to-shoulder in front of TV screens.

Graham Steward, who has been landlord for 30 years, said the pub didn’t take bookings.

He said: “We weren’t packed out for the semi-final. We get our share but we’ve never been manic. It’s what you call a man’s pub but today wives have come along as well. The trade is better when we have a game on and there’s a lovely atmosphere.”

Geoff Lloyd, 61, of Greys Hill, said: “The landlord makes it a very nice place to come.

“There are loads of people who come here who are football fanatics and to them it would mean everything for England to win.

“I watched England play at Wembley in the Nineties. The main thing I remember is Gary Lineker’s last game in a friendly against Brazil when he took a penalty and missed. I felt so sorry for him because he was such a fantastic player.”

Sam Pratt, landlady of the Saracen’s Head in Greys Road, said the pub was busy by 2pm and customers were singing. We have five TVs and we get about 100 people in per game. We try to keep it contained because everybody’s here to have a good time and we don’t want to overstretch it.

“We only took bookings for the final, other than that it was first come, first serve.

“We’re a proper football pub — it’s our bread and butter. It keeps us going through the quieter months.”