The event at Tennants in Leyburn on July 11 will include collector’s items such as petrol pumps and mascots.

Auto fans will be able to view the collection at Tennants’ Leyburn salerooms from July 5 to July 10, with bidding starting from 1.30pm on the day of the sale.

A 1971 Ford Escort Mexico is tipped to be one of the stand-out lots, estimated to reach between £28,000 and £32,000.

1939 Velocette KTS 350 with an old buff logbook dating back to 1955, estimated at £10,000 to £12,000 (Image: Tennants)

First registered in September 1971, the car features a distinctive red and white livery, original V5, and previous MOT certificates.

Another highlight is a concours-condition 1968 MG Midget, extensively upgraded and maintained, estimated at £14,500-£16,500.

For those interested in pre-war motoring, a 1912 8HP Clément Bayard with a detailed history file is also expected to draw attention, with an estimated value of £14,000 to £16,000.

Avery-Hardoll 101 Petrol Pump, repainted in Shell livery and valued at £2,000 to £3,000 (Image: Tennants)

Motorcycle enthusiasts will find plenty to admire, including a 1939 Velocette KTS 350 with an old buff logbook dating back to 1955, estimated at £10,000 to £12,000.

The sale also features a range of petroliana and automobilia.

This includes an Avery-Hardoll 101 Petrol Pump, repainted in Shell livery and valued at £2,000 to £3,000.

Other items include a René Lalique Tete D’aigle car mascot, expected to fetch between £1,500 and £2,000.

Full listings are available on the Tennants website at www.tennants.co.uk.

The privately-owned Quest Kodiak 100 plane reportedly crashed into New York City’s East River on Sunday, 5 June shortly after midday while en route to the seaplane terminal on the city’s east side, according to police

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Eight people have been rescued after a seaplane plunged into a river, marking the second such incident within a single month.

The privately-owned Quest Kodiak 100 aircraft came down into New York City’s East River on Sunday, 5 June, shortly after noon, while travelling towards the seaplane terminal on the city’s east side.

The plane reportedly departed from The Hamptons, an upmarket area on Long Island. The seaplane appeared to have partially overturned, with one wing beneath the water’s surface.

Video footage captured at least five vessels and another seaplane assisting in the rescue operation between Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Two passengers suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident.

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All those on board were pulled to safety and the seaplane was subsequently towed to the docks.

The Kodiak 100 becomes the second seaplane to be recovered from the East River within a month, following a previous incident in which a plane was struck by a wave during take-off near the Throgs Neck Bridge in Queens.

The police department said an investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Pupils at Sacred Heart R.C. Primary School in Westhoughton will watch a full rerun of England’s World Cup clash with Mexico on Monday morning as though it is being shown live.

The match kicks off at 1.00 am, meaning many children are unlikely to watch it before school.

Staff have asked parents not to tell their children the result before they arrive so everyone can enjoy the excitement together with classmates.

The school said via social media: “On Monday 6th July, our children will have the opportunity to experience the excitement of the England v Mexico World Cup match together.

“We’ll be watching a full rerun as though it is live, so we’re asking for one very important favour…

“Please don’t tell your children the score before they come to school on Monday.

(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA)

“Let’s help them enjoy all the excitement, drama and celebrations together with their friends.”

Children are invited to bring an England shirt to wear while watching the match but must attend school in their normal uniform for the rest of the day.

The school also said Year Four pupils heading to Manchester on the Peace and Justice Trail should come to school in their usual uniform as normal.

England fans are packing out pubs as they prepare for an epic all-nighter to watch the Three Lions take on Mexico in their last-16 World Cup clash. 

The match kicked off at 2am UK time following a one hour delay due to ‘adverse weather – with pubs allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday. 

Huge crowds have gathered at BOXPARK Wembley where a screening of the highly anticipated game is being shown, as well as in fan zones across the country.

The game could go late into the night amid delays due to thunderstorms, prompting fears fans may be turfed out of pubs before the final whistle if it goes to penalties. 

In Britain, millions of England fans are expected to be late or absent from school and work on Monday, with employers braced for a ‘mass sickie’ after the match at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

There were already tired faces in pubs up and down the country as fans waited for kick-off to begin – with some resting their heads on tables surrounded by pints of beer. 

Speaking at a watch party in Wembley, northwest London, Lorcan Finn, from Devon, said he had already taken the day off work to stay up for the early-hours kick-off.

The 22-year-old engineer said: ‘I think it’s stupid not to take the day off, unless you work from home.’

England fans gather at BOXPARK in Wembley as they await kick-off, which has been pushed back to 2am due to thunderstorms

England supporters gather at STACK at St James’ Park in Newcastle ahead of tonight’s fixture

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Nervous faces in Manchester as fans gather to watch England’s match against Mexico 

Huge crowds gather at BOXParty Wembley where a screening of the highly anticipated game will be shown, as well as in fan zones across the country

Harry Becks, 27, from Ruislip, west London, also said there’s ‘no chance’ he will go to work on Monday, adding: ‘I already booked the day off.’

Matt, 27, from Richmond, south-west London, who was at the fan zone with his father Terry, 62, from Preston, is also taking annual leave on Monday.

His father Terry said: ‘I’m older, I do not work. I will wake up tomorrow at home, if I’m not dead!’

Meanwhile, remote workers pulling an all-nighter joked they will just be moving their mouse at work on Monday.

Watching England’s last-16 game against Mexico at BOXPark Wembley in north-west London, Kieran, a finance assistant from Essex, said he is unaffected by the game’s delay to 2am, as he will be working from home.

‘I’m working from home and I live nearby,’ the 23-year-old said, joking: ‘I will just be moving my mouse!’

England fans watching the match in the shadow of Wembley Stadium had said they would wait as long as it takes to see kick-off. 

Kieran, 23, a finance assistant from Essex, said he will stay put at Wembley Boxpark, in north-west London, even if the match is delayed further.

‘I think it’s annoying for England fans here but it’s probably beneficial for the England team,’ he said. 

‘I will stay the whole time even if it’s delayed,’ he added. 

Fans wait for the start of the England match at BOXPark Wembley in London

England fans enjoy a pint as they await kick-off in the vital last-16 clash with Mexico

England fans sing and knock back pints at a fanzone in Manchester ahead of kick-off

Excitement builds among England fans in Newcastle in the early hours of Monday

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England fans gather ton watch the England v Mexico game in Manchester 

Bar staff ahead of a screening of the FIFA World Cup match between England and Mexico at The Rockcliffe Arms, Whitley Bay

England fans are packing out pubs as they prepare for an epic all-nighter to watch the Three Lions take on Mexico in their last-16 World Cup clash

Killey Harvey, a charity worker from west London, also said he will wait, despite having work at 10am on Monday.

The 49-year-old said: ‘I think that it is bad. It should have been earlier. The police are not happy with it because it causes extra trouble.

‘I will stay because I want to seen them play. I’m here to enjoy the match,’ he added.

Asked if he is worried he will be too tired to work, Mr Harvey said: ‘I do not care, this is my choice.’

Despite pubs being given permission to stay open until 5am on Monday, some fans are concerned the game may go on longer if it goes to penalties. 

Lewis Haywood, assistant manager at Bristol-based brewery Bristol Beer Factory, said they would show ‘as much as we can’ of the game amid concerns the game could go beyond 5am if there was extra time and penalties.

He said: ‘We will be open until 5am tops. If it (was delayed) to 3am then we’ll show as much as we can but then we would need to close.

‘This is what’s annoying, they (Fifa) knew they could have done it at 7pm our time. It’s not too bad, it’s a bit annoying, but people are still in good spirits.’

He added: ‘Licensing is only until 5am. We’ll do last orders at 4.30am so if it does go to penalties or anything like that then there’s not much we can do really. So we’ll see what happens.’

In Mexico City, hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to take to the streets following the last-16 showdown.

Police deployed 7,500 officers to the Azteca Stadium and 6,000 more to the city centre in the biggest operation ever seen for an England football match.

It comes after a million people crowded around the Angel of Independence statue in the city centre after Mexico’s match against Ecuador last week, with four people dying in the crush.

Bored and tired England fans at Ultra Warehouse Derby brave the early hours as they prepare to watch England play against Mexico 

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Fans pack out pubs as they wait for the start of the England match against Mexico 

England supporters pose with a replica trophy as they wait for the start of match tonight at The Clock pub in Hebburn

England supporters pack into STACK at St James’ Park in Newcastle in the early hours of Monday 

Mexico have played all of their World Cup matches at their home Azteca stadium – scene of the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal by Diego Maradona. 

Every seat in the 80,824-capacity arena is set to be equipped with a Mexico flag.

In Britain, ‘Hangover Monday’ could cost the economy millions as workers either fail to show up or spend today being unproductive.

Experts warned of the dangers of driving or doing physical work while exhausted.

Dr Sophie Bostock, from the sleepscientist.com, said: ‘If you’ve been awake for 24 hours and you’re planning to just ‘push through’, your reaction time slows by over 50 per cent.’

Six million staff – almost one in five employees – have taken annual leave, three times more than usual, industry sources said.

With pubs open for business and those watching at home turning on kettles at the same time for half-time cups of tea, National Grid bosses had predicted a sudden demand spike of up to 600MW, the equivalent of one whole nuclear reactor.

A spokesman for the National Energy System Operator said: ‘Demand rises at half-time. Our control room was ready for this moment, using batteries and pumped hydro storage to keep the system balanced.’

Many bars enjoyed a record trading day, from 11am yesterday to 5am this morning.

Mike Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, which represents pubs and other venues, said: ‘Millions of additional pints will have been sold in pubs across the country.’

Ronnie’s Bar in Hockley, Essex, said: ‘A 1am kick-off on a Monday morning is ridiculous and absolutely brilliant. We stayed open for the game, with big England energy.’

Take That’s Gary Barlow has announced he won’t do another Circus Live tour after the final show in Dublin, telling fans he “just can’t physically do” another demanding tour at age 55.

Take That’s Gary Barlow has told supporters he “just can’t see a way I could physically do” another Circus Live tour.

The gruelling 17-date run, which wrapped up yesterday in Dublin, served as a follow-up to their massive 2009 trek, which drew more than a million spectators.

After the final bow, he released a message to devotees revealing that “with an extremely heavy heart” it wouldn’t be making a comeback, despite declaring to admirers that he regarded it as Take That’s finest ever tour, reports the Mirror.

Posting on X today, the vocalist, 55, said: “And another tour comes to a close. Somehow, this one feels a little different. With the other tours, it’s always comforting to know there will almost definitely be a next time. But I’m pretty sure this tour won’t return.”

The father-of-three went on: “I was 38 when we originally did this show, and I have to say it’s been a whole other challenge doing it as a 55-year-old. I just can’t see a way I could physically do this show again.

“So, it’s with an extremely heavy heart that I leave The Circus in my past. I got to run away with The Circus twice. Now I’m running towards our next exciting, brand new show.”

The day before, he’d shared a note with fans stating: “Best tour ever – to say that 35 years into our career is saying something.”

The initial Take That formation, which included Jason Orange and Robbie Williams, launched in Manchester in 1990. The Circus Live show is an intensely physical spectacle, featuring dancers, trapeze performers, clowns, tightrope walkers and roller skaters, with the band even participating in a unicycle routine.

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Supporters expressed their gratitude to Gary for breathing new life into the production for a fresh generation, with one fan posting: “Thank you for bringing back The Circus, and letting us relive it and run away with it one last time and this time my kids got to see just how amazing this show was they loved it so Thank you. I cannot wait for the next chapter. Enjoy your time off and relax.”

That That Presents: The Circus Live marked the band’s seventh tour back in 2090, mounted to showcase their record The Circus. It was later resurrected as The Circus Live, designed as a follow-up to the original production.

The show featured Gary, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, with backing from Belinda Carlisle and The Script. Notably absent was Jason Orange, who stepped away from the band in 2014.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

By NATHAN SALT – FOOTBALL REPORTER

Published: 01:44 BST, 6 July 2026 | Updated: 02:11 BST, 6 July 2026

A beaming – and topless – Erling Haaland was embraced by Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway after he fired his nation into the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.

Haaland’s inspired brace in New Jersey downed Brazil and continued Norway’s fairytale run to the last eight.

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As players celebrated in the dressing room after the match they were shocked to receive a royal visit with Princess Alexandra, eldest daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Mariet of Norway, keen to pass on her congratulations.

Alongside her brother Prince Sverre Magnus, the Princess spoke to each player and was quick to give a hug to star man Haaland, even if he was only partially dressed.

Princess Ingrid is next in line to the throne and eventually will become Queen of Norway and so her presence in New Jersey was significant.

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A topless Erling Haaland was embraced in a hug by the future Queen of Norway on Sunday

Princess Ingrid Alexandra (right) attended the Brazil clash with brother Prince Sverre Magnus

She first appeared at the tournament for the group stage win over Senegal when she replaced her father at late notice.

Crown Prince Haakon cancelled his visit after his wife went in for surgery, meaning that Princess Alexandra stepped up and she’s been a lucky charm in both games, with Norway – and particularly Haaland – shining on their first World Cup appearance in 28 years.

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The World Cup represents Princess Ingrid’s first official public appearance since Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s lung transplant which has been headline news back in Norway alongside the success of Haaland and Co.

As for the football, Haaland took over the game and took his own goal tally to seven, drawing level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappe in the race for the golden boot.

‘That’s just how it usually goes. If I get a chance or two, it usually ends up as a goal,’ Haaland said after his clinical brace.

‘I don’t know how I do it, but that’s how I do it, so it’s all about staying focused.

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‘I tell myself the chance will come, and then I usually know right away if I don’t score.

Haaland (right) is his nation’s hero right now after his brace booked a quarter-final on Saturday

Join the discussion

Can Haaland fire Norway all the way to the final?

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‘I’m starting to realise now, I think, that it’s a gift from God that it goes in perfectly, perfectly right up against the post and stuff. So it’s crazy.

‘We just kept pushing forward, but I hope that all the young people watching this interview – I hope that when you get a little older, you’ll see playing for Norway as the proudest thing you’ll ever do in your entire life – it’s absolutely insane.’

Norway’s players, as well as the Royals cheering them on, will now look ahead to Saturday’s quarter-final in Miami where the winner of Mexico versus England, in tonight’s delayed match in Mexico City, awaits.

Brazil fell to a 2-1 loss against Norway in the last-16 stage of the World Cup on Sunday night, leading to some backlash for Carlo Ancelotti

Brazil fans have demanded that manager Carlo Ancelotti is sacked and replaced by Pep Guardiola following the nation’s exit from the World Cup. The five-time World Champions fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat against Norway at the round of 16 stage.

A double from Man City striker Erling Haaland in the second half condemned Brazil to defeat, despite Neymar’s late penalty. The game also saw midfielder Bruno Guimarães have a first-half penalty saved.

The loss means that Brazil’s wait to add a sixth World Cup goes on. The nation last lifted the trophy back in 2002.

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Speaking after the game, Ancelotti said: “We must continue to work and improve, and find new ideas. I believe that this loss is not the end, but the beginning of a new cycle.”

However, Brazil fans on social media are calling for the manager to be sacked. “Bruno is at fault, Endrick is at fault. But the main one responsible for the elimination is the cowardly and arrogant Carlo Ancelotti,” one said.

“He clearly instructed the team to let Norway have the ball. Coward. It went wrong, obviously, but he didn’t want to fix it. Arrogant. Best coach in the world… who should never coach the national team again.”

A second wrote: “Carlo Ancelotti is an absolute coward. An utter disgrace. He should be fired tonight.”

“I like Carlo Ancelotti-who doesn’t- but I am completely unmoved by this result & he deserves the sack,” said a third. “To choose Neymar over Joao Pedro is an injustice punishable by this sort of disgrace. I understand football is emotional but you’re not serious if you pick Neymar in 2026.”

And fans have no doubt over who they want to replace Ancelotti. One said: “This selection is begging for Pep Guardiola.” A second wrote: “The only manager who can save Brazil, Pep Guardiola.”

“Hey @CBF_Futebol, take advantage of this Pep Guardiola guy slipping up in the market and pay the buyout clause,” a third said.

Guardiola is available after leaving Man City this summer. He has been replaced at the Etihad Stadium by former Chelsea and Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca.

The Spaniard has been linked to the Brazil job a few times in the past, including as recently as this year. Back in 2015, former Brazil and Barcelona full-back Dani Alves revealed that the legendary manager wanted the job for the 2014 World Cup.

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“Pep said he wanted to make Brazil a World Cup champion and had an entire strategy to make us a world champion,” Alves told ESPN Brasil in 2015.

“They didn’t want it, because they said that they didn’t know if Brazil would accept a foreign coach.

“Pep is the best coach in the world, the greatest sports manager I’ve ever seen. He revolutionised football, revolutionised a team and we had the chance to have him with us.

“If you let an opportunity like this go by, then you are not really thinking about the national team.”

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Guardiola himself has admitted that he may be open to national team management. When asked back in May if he would be open to managing England, he said: “I don’t have any absolute plan about my future.

“I go to rest and recover the time I missed with my kids, even though they are grown, and do many things I’ve not done that I want to do.

“I don’t think for one second about anything related to football for the next years. I need to rest, I need to reflect, I need to see what happened in my 17, 18 years, in my time with Barcelona, in Germany [with Bayern Munich] and here.

“After, we see what happens. I didn’t do in the past stupid things that I want to do.” Asked if this was not a no, Guardiola said: “Yeah – [but] nobody cares.”

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

The US rapper and global superstar lit up the stage, delivering a 90-minute set packed with hits as part of his I’m Back world tour — and as a playful tribute to his signature look, many in the crowd wore bald caps in his honour.

Bald caps out in force for Mr Worldwide (Image: Matthew Eachus)

Pitbull said: “To all the baldies out there, thank you for the love and thank you for the commitment! Happy 15th anniversary Lytham Festival!”

His set included crowd-pleasers such as Timber, Don’t Stop The Party, Hotel Room Service, and Fireball, creating a party atmosphere for all 25,000 in the crowd.

Crowds at Lytham Festival (Image: Matthew Eachus)

He was joined on stage by Grammy award-winning rapper and producer Lil Jon, who performed tracks including Shots and Outta Your Mind.

British rapper Tinchy Stryder also made an appearance, while DJ and producer PBH opened the show.

TINCHY STRYDER AT TK MAXX PRESENTS LYTHAM FESTIVAL (Image: Matthew Eachus)

Festival co-founder Peter Taylor said: “What a week.

“The plan was to make our 15th anniversary year very special and it is safe to say that is exactly what the past five days have been.

“We have welcomed some of the biggest names in music internationally and to have such a huge global star as Pitbull to close our party with a phenomenal performance was just perfect.”

This year’s festival attracted more than 110,000 people across five nights.

Ready to party (Image: Matthew Eachus)

This year’s headliners included Teddy Swims, Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, and Pet Shop Boys, with special guests including Lauren Spencer Smith, Skunk Anansie, Ronan Keating, and Scissor Sisters.

It has grown into the largest music festival in the North West.

UK festival-goers will have more to look forward to, with organisers already confirming that the event will return in 2027 from Wednesday June 30th to Sunday July 4.

Night five of the epic Lytham Festival (Image: Matthew Eachus)

Mr Taylor said: “So now it’s on to 2027.

“The dates are in the diary, the artists are being booked and we can’t wait to start making some exciting announcements very soon.”

Five-day passes go on sale at 8am on Friday via the festival’s official website, lythamfestival.com.

The game will start in the early hours of Monday morning UK time after governing body Fifa opted not to go ahead with a proposal to move it forward six hours to avoid disruption from forecast thunderstorms.

Mexico’s weather service said there would be an 80% chance of thunderstorms at 5pm local time (12am BST), and a 60% chance at 6pm (1am BST).

A Fifa statement said: “Due to adverse weather conditions in Mexico City, including risk caused by lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 match between Mexico and England has been delayed to 1900 local time (2100 EDT).

“The safety and security of all individuals is FIFA’s priority. We thank all fans for their understanding and cooperation.”

At about 2.30pm (9.30pm BST), heavy rain and thunderstorms greeted England and Mexico fans outside the Estadio Azteca, with loud rumbles of thunder coming and going in the hours before kick-off.

The big screens inside the stadium displayed signs warning people that an electrical storm was approaching and to remain in their seats, though people ran for cover when the heavens opened.

Play cannot begin until 30 minutes has passed since lightning was detected within an eight-mile radius.

Mexico’s last-32 match with Ecuador on Wednesday was delayed by an hour after thunderstorms struck ahead of kick-off.

Lightning is not the only hazard which could strike the Three Lions’ World Cup hopes – co-hosts Mexico have lost only two of their 89 competitive games at the Estadio Azteca, which lies more than 2,200 metres above sea level.

An England win would set up a quarter-final tie with Norway following their 2-1 victory over Brazil on Sunday.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who earlier this week announced pubs would be able to stay open until 5am to show the match, predicted supporters would stay up through the night to watch the “big game”.

He said: “Mexico are a tough side to beat but we have a squad that knows what it takes to win.

“After the false hope of an earlier night, I know fans across the country will be staying up late to get behind the England team. And thanks to our change to pub licensing, they will be able to do that at their local, all through the early hours.

“Come on England!”

England fans outside the Estadio Azteca were quietly confident of the Three Lions’ chances in their round of 16 tie – with one saying the team can “win penalty shootouts now”.

Barnaby Shepherd, 58, originally from Cambridge but who now lives in Los Angeles, told the Press Association: “I think they’ll play slow for the first part because of the altitude and I think they’ll pass it a bit.

“If they can pass and conserve their energy and nick a goal… I told the Mexican waiter last night it’s going to be 1-1 and it will go to penalties and we’ll nick it on penalties.

“He said no chance, he thinks it will be 2-0 to Mexico.”

Asked if he was confident England can win on penalties, Mr Shepherd said: “I think so, I think we’ve got that, I think we can win penalty shootouts now – we’ve crossed a bridge there.”

Mr Shepherd said you can “put your watch by” thunderstorms in Mexico City.

He said: “My cousin, who lives in Mexico City – he’s from Somerset… he says the British media have it all wrong about the weather.

“It’s always mild, it never gets too hot, but you do have these thunderstorms and you can put your watch by it – you just know when they’re going to come.

“So I think they should have moved it up to 12pm personally, but we were at the airport and people were shaking their heads saying no because they’d made travel arrangements – so they didn’t like the idea of any disruption.

“People are going to be annoyed either way – we’ll see what happens today.

“Yesterday there was thunder and lightning – so that’s what they’re worried about.”

Meanwhile, Kyle Thomas, 35, from Bristol, predicted a tight game.

He said: “It’ll be a tight game – first 20 minutes, if we can keep it tight because they are going to come at us really quickly… but after 20 minutes I think we’ll be all right. 1-0 potentially – it’s going to be tight.”

His friend Jack Knight, 34, also from Bristol, said: “I think we’re at a disadvantage. They obviously played here last week, they haven’t conceded, they’ve won all their games.

“Hopefully we do well but we’ve just got to show up.

“There’s going to be, what, 5,000 English compared to 80,000 (from Mexico) – so we’re going to be outnumbered.”

Mr Thomas said the atmosphere inside the Estadio Azteca will be a “great experience”.

He said: “We’ll be loud behind the goal, the actual supporters, and there will be a few dotted around the stadium, but I’m excited just to see the atmosphere.

“The national anthem from Mexico is going to be amazing so it should be a great experience.

“We’re going to win, so hopefully onto Miami, and then Atlanta for the semis.”

The friends from Bristol said England manager Thomas Tuchel’s past achievements have given them hope for the Three Lions’ chances at the World Cup.

Mr Knight said: “I want to see a good game today – Panama wasn’t too exciting, nor Congo… I went to Dallas and watched that and that was the only time I was like ‘yeah, we can do this’.”

Mr Thomas added: “The only hope I have is that Tuchel won the Champions League playing badly with Chelsea, so I’m pinning my hopes on that.”

Asked what they had to do to afford their trip out to the US and Mexico, Mr Knight said: “Save up all our lives.”

Mr Thomas continued: “I’ve got a five-month-old and a 15-month-old, so I had to tell my missus I’m going away.

“I’ll break it to her later that I’m going to go to the semi-final – well, I’ll tell her now.”

Meanwhile, Steve Hartshorne, 70, from Walsall, said: “Let’s hope the players really come to the fore and are inspired by this atmosphere.

“We’ve been in the city and it’s manic. Green (shirts) everywhere, horns everywhere – it’s just so exciting.

“They’re a great footballing nation so let’s hope our players can respond.

“But the altitude could be a massive factor.”

Mr Hartshorne said he was confident England will have factored any delayed kick-off into their preparations.

Commenting on the potential storm disruptions, he said: “I’ve got my waterproof in here.

“I think they’ll have planned this into their thinking.

“They’ll be in the dressing room and they’ll get geared up.

“It’s the same for both sides isn’t it, really.”

Asked how England might cope with a potentially hostile atmosphere inside the Estadio Azteca, Mr Hartshorne said: “They’re experienced players, some of them, so let’s just hope they can do it.

“I’m quietly confident.”