So we are all feeling very sad this morning following the England team’s departure from the World Cup. There is a palpable collective heartbreak as we were so incredibly close to that final.

I have to admit to going into the kitchen to do the washing up (which I hate) when they went into extra time. Honestly I felt that, by that time, we were tired and Croatia were very combative and I couldn’t face the inevitable.

BUT, hasn’t our young England team been amazing?

Hasn’t it filled you with so much pride to see this band of humble young men from all different background and ethnicities work so hard together as a team. No divas, no bad WAG behaviour, no Rooney foul language but instead just a group of really quite ordinary boys that we can all identify with as our sons, brothers, mates, boyfriends. They really are an inspiration to our young people.

And then the man in the waistcoat! What can you say that hasn’t been said?! His genuine, caring, calm personality came through so strongly yesterday when his first thought after the final whistle was to go and hug each and every player. He is truly a breath of fresh air.

Yes it is sad and we can feel so heartbroken that it was in reach and we didn’t quite get there. However, this is the start and it is truly exciting to have a great English team again.

Best wishes,
Wendy.

ps apologies to all of those people who havn’t been following the football, so this blog means nothing to you at all.