Following the relative success of the England football team at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, a north London underground station has been temporarily renamed in honour of manager, Gareth Southgate.
Southgate Tube station in Enfield at the northern end of the Picadilly line has been re-branded from Monday for 48hours in honour of the returning 4th placed team – the best result since they also placed 4th at Italia 90′.
Next stop – Gareth Southgate! To celebrate the achievements of the @england men's football team this summer, TfL & @VisaUK have temporarily renamed Southgate station on the @piccadillyline. Why not come down and post a #SouthgateSelfie pic.twitter.com/n8tR70qitd
— Transport for London 🌈 (@TfL) July 16, 2018
Football's coming home…on the the Tube! Southgate Tube station in north London is temporarily renamed ‘Gareth Southgate’ for 48 hours, to welcome home England football manager Gareth Southgate and his team after the World Cup. #WorldCup2018 #ThreeLions #footballscominghome pic.twitter.com/kd16nObgH0
— Yui Mok (@YuiMok) July 16, 2018
Although vastly insignificant in comparison to the celebrations now being seen in Paris following their victory on Sunday afternoon, this gesture has been widely praised.
World Cup celebrations rock France; 'Les Bleus' victory parade set for Champs Elysees https://t.co/sgQ5pkKY2m pic.twitter.com/ChR3Fxrra9
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) July 16, 2018
Belgium, who pipped England to 3rd place underwent a homecoming parade this week for their best ever result in a World Cup. Southgate and the FA opted not to have any similar celebration, with the England manager saying, “It was not my decision but I agree with the decision. If we make the final maybe it is different.”
Until this year, England had failed to reach a semi-final of a World Cup since 1990 and in any major competition since 1996. Moreover, England was finally victorious on the often-dreaded Penalty Shootout in this World Cup for the first time ever. Unfortunately, the surprising over-achievement by Southgate’s young side ended in disappointing fashion versus Croatia in the semi-final and then by Belgium in the 3rd/4th playoff.
Belgium's homecoming celebrations were run by the one and only @HazardEden10 🎉🇧🇪😂 pic.twitter.com/ynhuRfqmT6
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 15, 2018
We’re back. 👍
Thanks for your amazing support during the #WorldCup – we’re looking forward to showing our appreciation when we see you at @wembleystadium and @LCFC in September. #threelions pic.twitter.com/LtZLIWseYo
— England (@England) July 15, 2018
#WednesdayWisdom from the manager:
"We finished in the top four, deservedly, in this tournament. But we’re not a top-four team yet, and we know that. The enthusiasm, encouragement and belief allow us now to go back and to identify exactly what we need to do." #threelions pic.twitter.com/81mjWHscZz
— England (@England) July 18, 2018
TFL’s London Underground managing director said, “The great performance of the England team this summer brought people of all ages together in celebration. We’re delighted to be able to show our appreciation to Gareth and the team by renaming the station in his honour. This is another great example of how we, and brands, can work creatively together.”
TFL have not been the only ones to celebrate England’s success in Russia. Supermarket Lidl announced yesterday, “For their epic effort in Russia, we’ve reserved each of the @England team (not forgetting Gareth) a space at their local Lidl for whenever they want to pop in.”
For their epic effort in Russia, we’ve reserved each of the @England team (not forgetting Gareth) a space at their local Lidl for whenever they want to pop in. #DreamBigWithLidl pic.twitter.com/OR3BtHdFUs
— Lidl UK (@LidlUK) July 17, 2018
Southgate and The Three Lions will now turn their attention to Euro 2020 qualification and the newly founded Nation’s League with games versus Spain and Croatia.
Although football did not come home as the memes and hype lead us to begin to believe, Southgate’s side made huge strides in rectifying ‘all those years of hurt’ and started to build a team and a blueprint for success in the future.
