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With England's World Cup hopes dashed it's mixed fortunes for Kent football fans

England may have spectacularly crashed out of the World Cup, but for one super fan it is business as usual as the team gear up for the clash against Costa Rica tonight.

Sittingbourne builder Terry Matson travelled to Brazil for the World Cup - his seventh following England.

The Three Lions’ dreams of glory ended just eight days after the tournament began, resulting in our worst finals campaign since 1958.

Sittingbourne builder Terry Matson in Brazil after England's World Cup exit
Sittingbourne builder Terry Matson in Brazil after England's World Cup exit

Terry, 53, landed in Brazil two weeks ago having secured tickets for all England’s group games and entry to all subsequent matches involving Roy Hodgson’s side, including the final, had they usurped all expectation and got there.

Alas, all hopes were extinguished the day after England were beaten by Uruguay in Sao Paulo last Thursday.

After the match, a clearly upset Terry, who was staying at a hotel in the city, said: “Same old England - they never fail to let us down.

“The support’s been brilliant with about 7,000 England fans here.

“If only our team had the same commitment as us.”

Now he is gearing up for the Costa Rica match, hoping the team can salvage some glory from the previous defeats.

England striker Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring against Ecuador Picture: Mike Egerton / PA images
England striker Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring against Ecuador Picture: Mike Egerton / PA images

For one fan, England's dismal record is costing her in black ribbon.

Pat Wilson, 57, of Griffin Street, has been crocheting the flags of each country in the World Cup and adding a black ribbon when they get knocked out.

She has also crocheted a model of Wayne Rooney kicking a football, which now has a black arm band to signal that England is out of the game.

Mrs Wilson said: “People just stop by the window and try to identify all the flags.

“It didn’t take quite as long as I expected to complete. Wayne took the longest to do, especially as he is catching a ball, but it’s such a lovely design.”

Along with 32 flags, she has also created the World Cup mascot, a Brazilian armadillo with help from a Brazilian Facebook friend who provided the pattern.

But for Kent's pub bosses, the early bath for England couldn't be worse news.

World Cup
World Cup

Chelsea legend Ron "Chopper" Harris was due at the White Horse pub, in Borstal, near Rochester, for an event built around England's final group game against Costa Rica tonight.

But landlord Peter Darling said: "We were staging a special event and were having Ron 'Chopper' Harris come along to watch the match with our customers.

"We were putting on a buffet too, but now unfortunately we've had to cancel the event as no one will come and watch it now England are out."

A Kent sports psychologist believes England still have something to play for.

Mark Uphill, senior lecturer in sport psychology at Canterbury Christchurch University, believes the England boys should keep their heads up despite their unsuccessful performances in the previous two world cup games.

England fans have been left in despair again
England fans have been left in despair again

He said: "The match against Costa Rica is an opportunity to grow and improve further.

"It is potentially the first game in a qualification period for the European Championships so the team still has a lot to play for.

"They should focus on delivering their best performance and making amends for the previous match.

"Every game they play they have to go in believing they can win it."

The match airs on ITV from 5pm this evening.

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