Euro 2024: I’ve covered my ENTIRE house in England flags – people moan it’s an ‘eyesore’ but I do it every tournament
A FOOTIE-mad dad who’s covered his entire home with England flags says he doesn’t care that people call it an “eyesore”.
Paul Bibby, 58, gets into the spirit every tournament, wrapping his Chelmsford house in hundreds of Saint George’s Cross flags and bunting.
England super-fan Paul Bibby has covered his Essex home with 500 flagsEssexLive/BPM
The dad says he doesn’t care if neighbours think his home’s an ‘eyesore’EssexLive/BPM
AlamyIt comes after Chris Dowse, who lives on ‘UK’s most patriotic estate’, opened up about why they’re so passionate[/caption]
ReutersThe London street has draped hundreds of flags for every national tournament since 2012[/caption]
And this year is no different – he spent a day and a half putting up the display this week ahead of England‘s opener against Serbia on Sunday.
Paul told The Sun: “I love getting behind the team every tournament.
“In the past I’ve just had a few but I decided it’s time to go all out this summer.
“I started with just one, but then I saw a bundle that was quite cheap, so I thought, why not do the whole thing up?”
People were quick to slam the display, with one person writing online: “What an eyesore. Glad it’s nowhere near me.”
But Paul batted off accusations that the flag might upset neighbours or offend people.
He continued: “The neighbours love it. I’ve not had anyone say a bad word about it.
“Besides, they know I’m a bit mad.
“I know these days some people find the England flag offensive, but it’s my house, so I’m free to do with it as I please.
“People need to show support for the country and there’s no better way to do it.”
Sun reader Paul’s stunning display leaves no spot uncovered on his semi-detached house in Chelmsford, Essex – with about 500 flags across the home.
Larger flags cover the centre of the house whilst smaller rows of bunting draped from each side.
He continued: “I did it for the Euros last year too, but it was hard because after we lost to Italy I immediately tore it all down.
“This year I’m backing England to go all the way so hopefully it stays up a little longer.”
Paul is already famous on his street for his sensational Christmas light displays – raising nearly £7,000 for Essex and Herts Air Ambulance over the past four years.
It comes as people living on England’s most patriotic estate chatted to The Sun.
I started with just one, but then I saw a bundle that was quite cheap, so I thought, why not do the whole thing up?
Paul Bibby
Hundreds of flags hang in Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, South East London and Chris Dowse is one of the organisers.
They have draped their estate in football flags for every major national tournament since 2012, and began doing it for the women’s tournaments in 2019 too.
Most flags are supporting the English team, but they also have other nationalities putting out flags supporting their teams like Spain and Portugal.
Last year the estate was covered in more than 400 England flags to cheer on the boys for the Euros.
They then did the same again when the women’s team triumphed this year and celebrated their victory with a mural to Lioness forward Fran Kirby.
Residents usually pay £4 for a small custom flag and £15 for larger ones. But the cost went up for the whole estate this year from £60 in 2018 to £350.
And the flags have had to go up later than normal this year and will go down as soon as the tournament is over – unless England win – because of the winter weather.
England route to Euro 2024 final
ENGLAND will be aiming to put an end to their near 58-year wait for a trophy at Euro 2024 this summer.
Gareth Southgate’s side will be hoping they can go one better than the Wembley heartbreak of Euro 2020.
The England gaffer left some regulars out of his 26-man squad, with the likes of Harry Maguire and Jack Grealish not on the plane to Germany.
Southgate has opted for some new names this summer as he aims to be the man to guide the Three Lions to their first tournament win since the 1966 World Cup.
SunSport details every scenario of how football can, in fact, come home…
England’s route to Euro 2024 final
First up for England in Germany will be taking on the three other teams in Group C:
Sunday, June 16 – Group C: Serbia vs England (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen – kick-off 8pm BST, BBC)
Thursday, June 20 – Group C: Denmark vs England (Waldstadion, Frankfurt – kick-off 5pm BST, BBC)
Tuesday, June 25 – Group C: England vs Slovenia (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne – kick-off 8pm BST, ITV)
Who can England play in the Round of 16?
Should the Three Lions make it out of the group, here are their three scenarios:
If England finish top of Group C
Sunday, June 30 – England vs third-placed side in Group D/E/F (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen – 5pm BST kick-off)
If England finish runner-up in Group C
Saturday, June 29 – England vs Group A winners (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund – 8pm BST kick-off)
If England finish as one of four best third-place teams
One of:
Monday, July 1 – Group F winner vs third-placed side from Group A/B/C (Waldstadion, Frankfurt)
Tuesday, July 2 – Group E winner vs third-placed side from Group A/B/C/D (Allianz Arena, Munich)
