FOOTBALL came home to the pub today - and despite the strict covid rules it felt good.

That was the view of everybody at Carlisle's Turf Tavern pub, where today's televised England game against Croatia was watched by a small but wonderfully noisy gathering of fans.

Sporting England shirts, they loudly joined in as the England team sang the national anthem.

They may not have been at Wembley Stadium, but for these fans it was a positive first step back towards life as it used to be. For the staff at the pub too, it was a joyous occasion.

"It's a step towards normality," said Yarn Ballard, the pub's general manager.

Speaking before the final whistle, which saw England defeat their opponent Croatia in the team's opening game of the Euro thanks to a goal by Raheem Sterling, Yarn said: "There are still a lot of regulations to follow but it feels like Christmas Day.

"We want people to come here and enjoy themselves because that's what pubs are all about.

"It's been a tough year."

The pub's assistant manager Becca Armstrong, who like Yarn is a football fan, said: "It's an exciting day for staff.

"And being a football fan myself, it feels that little bit more special. "Football is more than a game. It's a lifestyle."

As for wider society's recovery from the pandemic, Becca is keeping her fingers cross that more freedoms will be granted by the Government tomorrow when Boris Johnson announces his decision.

But she added: "We feel like we're nearly there."

One of those at the pub for the match was Tome Lowes, 32. "I'm feeling optimistic," he said.

"I'm just happy that we're getting back a little more freedom.

"The vaccination has a good reach; and it has good efficacy against the Indian variant.

"Today feels good; it feels normal."