Football fans have been reacting and reflecting on a historic tournament after England’s devastating defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
Loss in elite level sport will always be tough to take – but this one truly stings.
It was a triumphant run to the final by a team that captured the hearts of the nation and brought people together after a tough 15 months, but millions of people right across the UK are waking up this morning to the reality sinking in that Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad couldn’t quite clinch the win to bring home England’s first international victory since 1966.
After taking an early lead within the first three minutes of the match thanks to a goal by Manchester United left back Luke Shaw, Italy equalised in the second half as seasoned Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci found the back of the net.
The game subsequently ran through extra time to be taken down to penalties.
Youngsters Bukayo Saka, 19, Marcus Rashford, 23, and Jadon Sancho, 21, all missed penalties – leaving Italy with a 3-2 victory.
Burdened with a unique feeling that most of us will never experience, the players were understandably seen in tears after the game, but were embraced by their England teammates and Southgate – who admitted in a post-match interview that he had chosen who should take the penalties, saying: “I decided on the penalty takers based on what we’ve done in training.
“Nobody is on their own – that’s my call and it totally rests on me.”
“The opportunity was there for us, we didn’t quite take it and that’s going to hurt for a very long time,” England captain Harry Kane also said after the match.
“But that’s football and we have to get over it and move on.
“We have to build belief from this, we have a great young squad [so] we have to dust ourselves down, hold our heads high and get ready for [the 2022 World Cup].”
Although the loss was agonising for fans, countless public figures and famous names have taken to social media to issue encouraging messages to a team that has provided the nation with so much hope over the last month.
The Duke of Cambridge, who was present at Wembley alongside the The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George, lead the plaudits.
Sadly, although there has been an outpouring of support, it has been confirmed that Saka, Rashford, and Sancho have all been subjected to abhorrent racist discrimination on social media – which the FA said it “strongly condemns” and has labelled “disgusting”.
Police said they were investigating “racist and offensive” messages on social media.
The FA added: “We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team [and] we will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible.”
“We stand with our players,” the England team said on Twitter.
Prime Minister Boris has also tweeted this morning to say that: “This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media.
“Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also said in a tweet this morning that: “The entire England team have brought us together and given us memories that will last a life time. They represent the best of us.
“Anyone racially abusing them is a disgrace and doesn’t represent us at all.
“More can and must be done to stop online abuse.”
The Metropolitan Police confirmed last night a total of 45 arrests were made in connection with policing the Euro 2020 final, which comes after thousands of fans gathered at Wembley prior to kick-off, with video footage showing dozens of people suddenly running into the area underneath the stadium stands and up the stairs.
Staff wearing hi-vis jackets tried to stop the crowds – but were overwhelmed.
Further scenes of public disturbance and violence involving members of the public following the final whistle have since emerged on social media in the early hours in the morning.
Police are yet to issue an updated statement on the matter.
Attempting to lift spirits as the reality sets in this morning, England’s official Twitter account shared some sentimental words referencing the ‘Football’s Coming Home’ chant – which has been the soundtrack to another English summer – with a half-and-half picture of a grassroots pitch and Wembley Stadium.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.
Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.
More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.
Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.
Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.
The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.
This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.
You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.
Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council
“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.
“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.
“We are definitely going to see the very best of what Rochdale has to offer over the next 12 months and people will come from far and wide to see it.”
Featured Image – Rochdale Council
News
The Lowry Theatre undergoes revamp following Biffa Award grant
Danny Jones
The Lowry in Salford Quays has had a bit of TLC with one of its biggest theatre spaces undergoing a pretty significant refurb this past month.
Following a well-deserved grant distributed via the Biffa Award, a multi-million-pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through community and environmental projects across the UK, the legendary local theatre received nearly £75k last year.
As a result, all 440 seats and various other aspects of The Lowry‘s Quays Theatre have now been renovated and refurbished.
The short story is, she looks more gorgeous than ever – see for yourself:
Being initially handed over in March 2024, The Lowry was awarded a total of £74,816 to reupholster seating in the venue’s Quays Theatre with new padding and fabric.
After almost 25 years of constant use as one of the most popular theatres in the North, the seats in the Quays Theatre were much in need of a refurb, and with work completed in December, Lowry visitors can now enjoy watching the venue’s wide range of theatre, dance, comedy and drama in comfort.
The work was actually carried out between July and December, with seats being carefully removed in batches and reupholstered off-site.
This was made possible due to the Biffa Award’s most recent ‘Cultural Facilities’ theme, which aims to improve recreation, interest and education, drawing funds from the UK government’s wider Landfill Communities Fund.
The old fabric and padding were disposed of sustainably, with lots of it being repurposed where possible to minimise waste and all the new materials used meet current guidance for safety and quality.
The Lowry’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Development, Gwen Oakden, said of the long overdue update:“It is so important that our audiences are able to enjoy our world-class performing arts programme in a comfortable and welcoming space.
“For many visitors to the Quays Theatre, this is their first experience of live performance – often to see a family show or as part of a school trip. We really want it to be the best experience possible, and for them to begin a lifelong relationship with Lowry.
“As a registered charity, without the generous support of this Biffa Award, for which we’re hugely grateful, we couldn’t have carried out this important work for our audiences.
As we head into our 25th Anniversary year, we are delighted to be able to welcome audiences and visitors can enjoy the beautiful and revived Quays Theatre.”
As for the Biffa side of things, Grants Manager Rachel Maidment added: “We are delighted to have supported The Lowry in refurbishing the Quays Theatre seating, ensuring audiences can continue to enjoy performances in comfort.
“Through Biffa’s Cultural Facilities theme, we fund projects that provide engaging and inspiring spaces for communities. The Lowry is a key cultural venue, and we’re proud that our funding, made possible through the government Fund, has helped enhance the experience for visitors for years to come.”
Like most Mancs, we love The Lowry, so here’s to hosting countless more theatregoers in the most comfortable seats possible for generations to come.
We’ve been to some brilliant performances around here of late.
The Manc -
12th July 2021 
