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'I was at a packed bar for England v Mexico and fans had the same idea after the pulsating win'

Our man Sam Elliott-Gibbs experienced the atmosphere with England fans at The Retreat in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, as the Three Lions defeated Mexico in the World Cup

[Sam Elliott-Gibbs]

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Sam Elliott-Gibbs soaked up the atmosphere at a boozer in Surrey(Image: Sam Elliott-Gibbs)

The song could barely be more fitting as England fans belted out the words through some exhausted bodies on the pavement at gone 4am.

Don't take me home, please don't take me home I just don't wanna go to work, came the cry as they made their way outside to daylight.

Many clearly have little intention of reporting for duty in a few hours time. Lets hope those who do plan to show up are not operating heavy machinery.

Like the 300-plus bleary-eyed supporters who packed-out this usually quiet pub in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, and across the nation, Englands players didnt fancy leaving anytime soon, either.

AltiJude? It wasnt just Bellingham and the brave Three Lions in Mexico in desperate need of oxygen. The lung-power of those back home was under examination as hundreds of pints were sunk.

[Fans packed into The Retreat despite the 2am kick-off ]

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Fans packed into The Retreat despite the 2am kick-off (Image: Sam Elliott-Gibbs)

Air was hard to come by with strict orders to have all doors shut. Sweaty satisfaction it was in the end, and some had forgot the time when they eventually made their way home.

Most can forget about sleep, adrenaline alone will keep most who stay up going. For those hoping to pull through until bedtime, one of the greatest England results and performances in living memory is reward for their efforts.

With the threat of storm delay, landlords were wondering if punters would be put off if they opened their doors. They neednt have worried.

No one was in The Retreat in Surrey for some R&R. By 6pm a sold out message was posted on social media. Not since the summer of 2002 had England been in action at such an ungodly hour and a day of severe struggle is ahead for millions.

[Fans packed into The Retreat despite the 2am kick-off ]

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Excited supporters saw the Three Lions beat Mexico(Image: Sam Elliott-Gibbs)

Josh Somers, 21, calculated that he would have had three hours sleep between Saturday morning and Monday night, when he gets home from work

Its my first day back at my old job tomorrow, my ex will be there and its going to be a big challenge, he accepts.

In hindsight, it wasnt the best idea to go out drinking on Friday and Saturday, but it is the summer and we did go to Infernos in Clapham (south London).

His pal Isaac Francis, also 21, vowed to go into work whatever the result but admitted: Im only going because my boss said he would buy me a Maccies breakfast if I didnt throw a sickie.

[Fans celebrated the 3-2 win, a game in which Jude Bellingham scored twice and Harry Kane netted again]

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Fans celebrated the 3-2 win, a game in which Jude Bellingham scored twice and Harry Kane netted again(Image: Sam Elliott-Gibbs)

Keir Starmers decision to slice through the bureaucratic red tape by removing the requirement for individual pubs to apply for special council permissions to open into the small hours.

For a few hours on Friday night, the outgoing PMs parting gift wasnt required but it was a perfect present for pub bosses, with many likely to have had their best day of the year.

Regular Fraser Marks outlined his battle plan, and pulled in a favour from his boss to ease the pressure.

The airport logistics operator said: Im probably one of a million people who asked to take leave at very short notice, and then tried to un-do it when they found out about the plan to move the kick-off forward!

My boss was brilliantly flexible, so I wont be getting up at 7am like many in here. If you dont ask, you dont get.

Now the mad scramble starts for Saturday!

[Sam Elliott-Gibbs]

Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Sam is a freelance journalist with a background in football and sports writing. He has a keen interest in non-league football but is knowledgeable across all sports. He will also occasionally write about the latest showbiz and celebrity news

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