Prime Minister Boris Johnson could give the country an extra bank holiday if England win the Euros on Sunday after more than 280,000 Three Lions fans signed a petition calling to have the next day off – but it would not be this Monday because it would be ‘tempting fate’.
Mr Johnson is actively considering holding a national day of celebration if Gareth Southgate’s team beat Italy to secure a first major championship triumph since the 1966 World Cup. However, he dismissed the idea of making Monday a snap bank holiday holiday.
There are also fears that an England win would spark celebrations that cause a ‘Hangover Monday’ meaning many workers take the day off anyway. It’s understood that Mr Johnson will ‘consider the options’ for marking a historic win, and that could include a bank holiday.
However, Downing Street sources played down the idea of turning any celebration into a ‘Freedom Day’ holiday on July 19, when Covid restrictions end, saying it would be too soon to put arrangements in place. Any victory parade for the team would probably have to wait until September due to the rapidly rising number of Covid cases.
Downing Street did, though, urge bosses to allow workers to have a lie in and late start on Monday should England emerge victorious, amid the prospect of the nation suffering one big hangover
Asked whether employers should give staff the day off on Monday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘We would want businesses who feel able to consider it if they can but we recognise it will vary depending on the business and company.’
Downing Street also said it would set out plans for any celebrations such as a victory parade, though sources indicated this was unlikely before the autumn.
The spokesman added: ‘I don’t want to pre-empt the outcome of Sunday’s match. Clearly we want England to go all the way and win the final and then we will set out our plans in due course. We will hopefully, when England go on to win, then go on to set out our plans.’
The Prime Minister has ruled out increasing the number of fans allowed to attend Sunday’s match at 90,000-seat Wembley Stadium above 60,000, saying: ‘There are no plans to extend the capacity.’
Mr Johnson also praised Southgate, saying the England manager has been ‘outstanding’. Asked if it could soon be Sir Gareth, the Prime Minister told broadcasters: ‘I obviously wouldn’t want to anticipate anything that the honours people may decide.
‘But clearly I think Gareth Southgate has done an absolutely outstanding job. What seems so amazing to me is how he varies it, he mixes it up, and plays a different series of options depending on the match.’
The petition, published on the official Government and Parliamentary website and created by England fan Lee Jones, has gathered a quarter of a million signatures from Three Lions supporters – while support for the proposal from Scotland and Wales is notably absent.
Business owners have revealed they are taking the initiative by allowing staff time off next Monday morning, with one company boss telling MailOnline that they would be letting employees come in up to three hours later than usual so that they can ‘sleep off their sore heads’.
Father-of-two Dan Murray, 35, the managing director of family-run electronics manufacturing firm The Membrane Keyboard Company said he will allow staff to start work three hours later than usual on Monday.
The petition, published on the official Parliamentary website and created by Three Lions fan Lee Jones, has gathered around a quarter of a million signatures from mostly England supporters, with a notable absence of support from football fans in Scotland and Wales
Boris Johnson is under mounting pressure to make Monday a Bank Holiday if England beat Italy at Wembley in Sunday’s Euro 2020 final, as more than 250,000 people sign a petition demanding the next day off and bosses and schools prepare to start later in the morning
Mr Murray said staff at the Hampshire firm, which employs 10 people, usually come in around 6.30am. But he says that staff will be allowed to come in around 10am on Monday, with usual service to resume on Tuesday
Headteacher Gemma Donnelly of Braywick Court School in Bray, Berkshire has announced she will accept pupils arriving until 10.30am on Monday
Parkland Primary’s headteacher Chris Dyson in Leeds said children can arrive as late as 10.30am on Monday ‘in case the children are tired staying up’ and said he would ‘rather a late start than an absence’
Parent Vicky Sills, from London, tweeted of her joy today at the news her son’s school is allowing pupils to start their day later on Monday, following England’s Euro 2020 final against Italy
Law firm Carter Thomas, which has offices in London and Sheffield, is allowing staff ‘time to recover’ by permitting a late start on Monday – and even ‘cameras off’ policy for those working from home
Father-of-four ‘Riggers’ tweeted that his boss has also agree to a late start on Monday – joining fans in dreaming Football ‘is coming come’ ahead of Sunday’s final against Italy
England fans today face a desperate rush to book a space at a pub after England’s victory over Denmark last night set up a Super Sunday for the hospitality industry
Venues across the country are expected to be packed-out – as much as they can be under Covid rules – this weekend when England face Italy in the Euro 2020 final
But with restrictions such as capacity limits and table service still set to be in place, spaces are already going fast
Boris Johnson (pictured at yesterday’s match) today appeared to pour cold water on the clamour for a Bank Holiday, saying it would be ‘tempting fate’. And one Tory MP remarked to MailOnline ‘we haven’t won anything yet’
He told MailOnline: ‘It’s been a rubbish 16 months and this has been great. I don’t think it’s going to do us any harm giving people a few hours off on Monday morning. There will probably be a few sore heads on Monday morning and it will give them a chance to sleep it off.’
Mr Murray said the 10 staff at the Hampshire firm usually come in around 6.30am. But he says his employees will be allowed to come in at 10am on Monday, with usual service to resume on Tuesday. ‘I think we’ll be more of an exception than the rule, but I think companies should do it if they can,’ he added.
Marketing director Charlotte Woods, whose father owns Essex and East Anglia-based roofing merchants AJW Distributions and employs around 60 staff, said: ‘We just thought it would be a nice gesture for staff so they could go and enjoy the football properly. They usually come in at 7am so we thought it would be good to let them sleep for a couple more hours after the football.’
In London, Leeds and Berkshire, two schools have told parents that children who arrive for registration later than normal will not be marked down as late. Headteacher Gemma Donnelly of Braywick Court School in Berkshire told parents she will accept pupils arriving until 10.30am.
Vicky Sills, from London, tweeted how her son’s school is also allowing pupils to start their day later on Monday. And Parkland Primary’s headteacher Chris Dyson in Leeds said children can arrive at 10.30am ‘in case the children are tired staying up’ and said he would ‘rather a late start than an absence’.
The petition claims that it would be ‘beneficial and sensible to give the country the day off the next day if England win’, adding: ‘Sunday 8pm is a difficult time for families to plan to be together for the event – knowing we have an additional day off the next day would significantly help this.
‘Furthermore, a historic win should be celebrated. It would be expected for the winning team to parade the trophy, and a Bank Holiday would be a perfect time to do this.
‘Also, English people would naturally want to continue to enjoy the win, giving the retail and leisure industry a much-needed opportunity to make up lost revenues.’
It comes as Southgate’s men beat Denmark 2-1 in extra-time during last night’s nerve-shredding semi-final to secure a spot in their first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup.
England fans face a desperate rush to book a space at a pub on what is now being dubbed ‘Super Sunday’ for the hospitality industry – with the Wimbledon final also due to take place on the same day.
The petition echoed calls on social media, with fans taking to Twitter to call for a Bank Holiday.
One said: ‘Come on Boris. Announce a special bank holiday Monday and a full house at Wembley Stadium.’ Another put: ‘If we win the Euros we deserve a bank holiday.’
Meanwhile, pubs and bars across the country are expected to be packed-out – as much as they can be under Covid rules – this weekend when England face Italy in the Euro 2020 final. But with restrictions such as capacity limits and table service still set to be in place, spaces are already going fast.
Some savvy England supporters already secured their places at their favourite watering-holes weeks ago – with many venues already fully booked.
It comes as Box Park venues – which have become synonymous with images of football-mad England fans celebrating during this year’s Euro’s campaign – are set to release details of their ticket ballots later today.
Wetherspoon bosses also confirmed to MailOnline that they will not be taking bookings – and will operate a first come first serve policy on Sunday.
Meanwhile, other England fans are planning to watch the game at home, instead opting for a few beers and a barbeque. Taking to Twitter to speak about the rush for pub seats, one fan wrote: ‘Finally found something that is equally as challenging as childbirth… trying to book a pub in London to watch and England match.’
Another, including a video of a woman furiously typing away on a keyboard wrote: ‘Me rushing to book a pub and buy every bit of England merch I can find.’
Others spoke about their plans to stay at home on Sunday, with one fan writing on Twitter: ‘Let’s go!! Time to get excited, get the BBQ read, beers in, shots in.
‘Whatever happens Sunday I am going to witness England play in a major final.’
Another added: ‘My family are having an England themed BBQ on Sunday.’
It comes as pubs across the country are already fully booked for Sunday’s Euro 2020 final – before England had even reached the final.
One fan wrote: ‘Not being able to book a pub in London for the Euros semis or final is absolutely gutting.’
Another said: ‘I literally can’t find any.’
While a third added: ‘You know what I hate about England getting so far…. Can’t get a f***ing table in a pub playing the game anywhere… the final date has been booked in all pubs over checked since the group stages and no chance of getting anywhere for Wednesday.’
Huddl, Nottingham’s newest sports bar, says all its tables are fully booked out while the city’s Southbank City has just one table left for the final.
In Portsmouth, The Old Customs House is fully booked out for the final while there is an ‘awful lot of booking’ for the final at The Baffins. Several other city bars have also revealed that they have no seats left for the final or semi-final matches.
Steve Haslam, owner of the Bread and Cheese in Thundersley, Essex says his phone has been ringing every 90 seconds with fans keen to book a space in the pub’s fan zone.
Mr Haslam says they will be forced to open a second zone to accommodate the overwhelming demand.
However MailOnline found some venues that do still have seats available on Sunday. The Hope & Anchor in Brixton is said to have availability, as is the The Refinery Bankside and the Hare and Hounds in Upper Richmond.
It comes as Rishi Sunak today said he would ‘take a win’ for England in the final over a Super Sunday spending boom.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain in a round of interviews today, he said: ‘I’m over the moon. It’s the best thing since Euro 96, football wise.
‘I know everyone keeps asking if it is good for the economy, and obviously I care about the economy and that’s good, but I’ll take a win over any increase in economic output over the weekend anyday. It’s done a phenomenal job of just giving people something to be happy and excited about.’
However, if last night is anything to go by, England could get both a win and an economic boom.
Figures from last night revealed how England fans across the country spent an astonishing £75,000-a-minute on drinks as the Three Lions faced Denmark.
Pubs, bars and venues were pulling 20,393 pints a minute as England played Denmark in the semi-final of Euro 2020, according to overnight data from financial app Revolut.
Overall spending was up 50.1 per cent compared to the average Wednesday last month. Punters spent £24.02 (6.5 pints) each on average, while the average size of a round was £14.42.
25-34 year old men spend the most last night, closely followed by 35-44 year old men and 25-34 year old women.
Bournemouth took the crown as the biggest spending region, followed by Romford in second place and Stevenage in third place.
‘Call your boss, you’re not going into work tomorrow’: ITV’s Sam Matterface is likened to 1966 pundit Kenneth Wolstenholme over his rallying cry for England fans to take today off… and supporters have done just that
England fans last night got an unexpected treat when commentator Sam Matterface said they could ‘have the day off’ after the Three Lions reached the final of Euro 2020.
The clearly elated commentator, 43, launched into an emotive monologue as England closed in on a 2-1 extra-time victory against Denmark in yesterday’s semi-final.
But with the emotions running high his speech spilled into the bizarre, as he encouraged ITV viewers to ring their bosses and take the day off.
He said: ‘I tell you what, if this comes off, you can do what you want tonight. You’ve had a terrible 16-months.
‘Kids you can stay up, don’t you dare go to bed. The rest of you call your boss, you ain’t coming in in the morning.
‘You deserve this, England deserves this. Feel it, ride it. All that pent up emotion which is 50 seconds away.
‘Just try to be safe and follow the rules, or I’m going to be in one hell of a lot of trouble.’
The amusing moment was picked up on Twitter, where fans made tongue-in-cheek comments about not going into work today.
Others drew comparisons to legendary commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme, who famously uttered the immortal words: ‘They think it’s all over… it is now’, after England’s 1966 World Cup win.
One Twitter user said: ‘Phoned my boss to say I’m not coming in to work tomorrow cos Sam Matterface said so. I’m not going in an hour early.’
Commentator Sam Matterface embarked on an emotive post-match monologue as England fans celebrated their 2-1 extra time victory against Denmark last night
Another, Tom Brooks, wrote: ‘Sorry boss, won’t be into work tomorrow because Sam Matterface told me it’s okay.’
Dave Flynn, imitating a conversation between a boss and employee, wrote: ‘Why didn’t you show up for work today? Sam Matterface told me I didn’t have to.’
Another added: ‘So no one is at work tomorrow thanks to Sam Matterface and ITV.’
One Twitter user put: ‘Result. Day off work tomorrow thanks to Sam Matterface.’
Another joked: ‘Sam Matterface single handedly destroying the UK economy by telling everyone not to go to work tomorrow.’
Twitter user, Paddy, added: ‘Well, that’s different! And, according to Sam Matterface, I now have carte blanche to do whatever I want and not to go to work tomorrow. I’m sure those vulnerable people will take care of themselves.’
Others drew comparisons to the legendary commentator Wolstenholme and his famous line from England’s 1966 World Cup final win over Wembley – also at Wembley.
Just as the final whistle was about to blow in that game the commentator said the now immortalised words: ‘Some people are on the pitch… they think it’s all over… it is now!’.
However, the comparisons were not so friendly, with Scotsman columnist Martyn McLaughlin saying: ‘Sam Matterface’s attempts to hit on his Kenneth Wolstenholme moment are lurching from the desperate to the inane.’
Another, writer and broadcaster Carrie Dunn put: ‘Matterface thinks he’s going to be the new Wolstenholme.’
And another Twitter user added: ‘Love how Sam Matterace went for his Kenneth Wolstenholme moment in the closing seconds and ended up at Charlie Nicholas.’
It comes as England’s footballers ended their 55-year wait for a major final last night – and are just 90 minutes from Euro 2020 glory after a nerve-shredding extra-time win over Denmark at Wembley.
More than 66,000 people – joined by Prince William, Boris Johnson and a who’s who of celebrities – packed the stands in Britain’s biggest post-pandemic crowd.
And those fans played a crucial role as they roared their Three Lions heroes home – the 2-1 semi-final win coming by way of a Harry Kane goal in extra time.
Gareth Southgate’s man now face Italy on Sunday. England won a controversial penalty for a trip on Raheem Sterling and though captain Kane saw his effort saved by Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel the striker was first to pounce on the rebound, slamming the ball home and sending fans into dreamland.
England are one game from glory, as they now face a final with Italy at Wembley on Sunday after beating Denmark 2-1 last night
Kane celebrates with team mates after scoring their side’s second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 match
Twenty tension-filled minutes later, the final whistle sounded and Wembley – and millions watching at home – burst into a national chorus of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline, with the PM and wife Carrie among those joining in.
It sets up that final against Italy, back at Wembley on Sunday evening. But for the fans, last night was all about ending the decades-long wait for a first final since the 1966 World Cup.
As the victory was confirmed, shirtless fans packed into London’s Trafalgar Square fan zone sprayed beer over each other, singing ‘It’s Coming Home’ and praising manager Gareth Southgate’s team.
Vic Richards, 22, from Croydon, south London, said: ‘I’m still trying to compute what happened, I’ve never seen England make a final.
‘It’s beautiful, it’s unbelievable, I love this country, the players gave it their all. This is an historic occasion, we may never see this again – now we can start to believe.’
Other fans collapsed onto the ground crying with joy or partied on the tables. Oliver Ways, 28, from Mitcham, said: ‘This time it’s coming home, the momentum is with us, I don’t care what anyone says. I’m so drunk but I don’t care – the game was just how we wanted it.
‘I can’t believe I’m saying this but England are in a final!’
England manager Gareth Southgate celebrates after England beat Denmark in the Euro 2020 semi-final at Wembley
The Duke of Cambridge in the stands during the UEFA Euro 2020 semi-final match at Wembley Stadium
England fans soaked up the atmosphere at Box Park in Croydon last night as England beat Denmark to reach the Euro 2020 final
The atmosphere inside and outside the ground had been rousing and good-natured. England players took the knee before kick-off in support of anti-racism, but no boos could be heard. ITV commentators described the ‘buzz’ and ‘sense of occasion’ which could be felt in the massive stadium.
Pubs across Britain had been packed out for the match, with 6.8million pints expected to be poured, and fans spilled out onto the streets after the final whistle. In London around 20 people were arrested.
Fans blocked roads and clambered over a stranded bus in jubilant scenes before being moved on by police to continue their celebrations.
As the result sank in, Prince William, the FA president, led the congratulations. The Duke had cheered England on alongside wife Kate and son Prince George last week but was forced to watch yesterday’s game alone as the Duchess was isolating after a covid Test-and Trace alert.
But in a tweet from the KensingtonRoyal Twitter account, the couple said: ‘What a game, what a result! A huge team effort @England. The whole country will be behind you on Sunday. #ItsComingHome.’
Mr Johnson wrote on Twitter after the game: ‘Tonight @England played their hearts out. What a fantastic performance from Gareth Southgate’s squad. Now to the final. Let’s bring it home.’
Also congratulating the England victory, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted a picture of himself celebrating as he watched the semi-final match on TV, with the hashtag: ‘#ItsComingHome’.