It's been a long time coming, but Euro 2020 is finally upon us.
And in preparation for the big day, a group of neighbours joined forces and covered their entire estate in St George flags to support Gareth Southgate and the boys this summer.
Chris Dowse and friends Geraldine, 55, and Alan, 52, live on the Kirby estate in Bermondsey, London.
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And for almost a decade they have been getting creative with flags, English, Irish, French, you name it, adorning the flats at some point or another - getting bigger and better every year.
Speaking to LADbible, Chris says: "It started back in 2012 when a few flags were put up when England were in the Euros. But it was only a few and it just didn't look right, so we added a few more.
"And every tournament since, it's just grown and grown to the extent that back in 2018 we decided to do the entire estate and get everyone involved."
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He adds: "It's not just St George flags, we have other nationalities too. We have always said that if your country is part of the tournament, get the flag and we'll gladly put it up for them as well. This year we have French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, German and Scottish going up at some point."
And while you might think the flags have been put up randomly, that's not the case.
Some also have sentimental value too.
The 42-year-old explains: "This time we did the estate over a four-day period just to make sure everything was done properly as the flags are not just thrown up. They are meticulously placed on the balconies to ensure they are as central as possible.
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"We also made a couple of flags especially for two residents who sadly passed away last year and are unable to be here.
"This way we can keep them part of what they should of been involved with last year."
In recent years in particular, the St George flag has often been highjacked by far-right and racist groups, and Chris says he and other residents have sometimes been tarred with the same brush.
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But he says it couldn't be further from the truth. This is about bringing people together, and it's something that Chris and his neighbours would like to see more of.
"Once social media takes hold it's great to see all the positive comments, and the main one that sticks in my mind is that they say, 'the whole country should be doing this'," Chris tells us.
"And you always get the same few that will say 'council will be round soon to make you take them down', which they never have."
In previous tournaments residents on the estate have organised gatherings, where they come out and watch the big games together.
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With Covid, though, things will be a little different this year. But Chris is still hopeful that they can organise something.
He says: "Back in 2018, we had a big screen for the Belgium, Colombia, Sweden and Croatia game, but we won't be putting on this year just yet.
"When we get to the semi finals, though, we might just have to do something like we've done before."
Featured Image Credit: Supplied
Topics: SPORT, Football, Euro 2020, England, Fans, London, covid, SPORT, Football, Euro 2020, England, Portugal, Spain, Fans, France, Scotland, London