'Greatest game ever' - England fans celebrate

News imageAshley Price Ashley Price has his arm around Stan Collymore who is wearing a red football top with the England crest on his chest. A third man is wearing a blue England hat, and also has on a red England top. Ashley Price
Fan Ashley Price ran into former England and Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore (centre) at the Azteca Stadium

Pubs and clubs across the West Midlands stayed open for fans to watch the England victory, as they beat Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca Stadium.

Ashley Price, from Willenhall in the West Midlands, was at the game and said it was the "greatest game of football I have ever been to in my life."

"I'm not joking - the stadium was literally shaking, bouncing," he said.

The Mexico fans were "brilliant," he added, "so passionate. It's just been unbelievable, I can't believe what I've just watched, to be honest.

Stourbridge's own Jude Bellingham scored twice in the space of 98 seconds before half-time, sending crowds into a frenzy of celebration.

His advice to fans watching the game?

"Have another shot and text your bosses to say you're not coming in tomorrow."

News imageEngland fans celebrating a goal while watching the match at Bromsgrove Sporting
Fans gathered to watch the game at Bromsgrove Sporting football club

While Thomas Sproulle, from Shropshire, was also in the stadium and added: "I'm totally lost for words. It was surreal.

"It was like going into a church or a cathedral. What a special place."

Lee Vaughan, from Shrewsbury, said the trip to Mexico was "worth every penny".

"I think the experience I've had tonight it the best I've ever had in football," he said.

"My head feels like it's on Mars."

"It's had to put into words," he added, "I think we knew how difficult this game was going to be - and Mexico made that so, so difficult tonight.

"It was such a rollercoaster, you couldn't have scripted it. We've come here and we've done a job. We march on."

News imageOwen Roberts Alan Shearer is wearing a dark jacket, light jumper and jeans. He is standing next to Owen Roberts who is wearing a white England top with a red number nine on it. Owen Roberts
Owen Roberts managed to grab Alan Shearer for a picture

Owen Roberts, from Fernhill Heath, Worcestershire, also bumped into footballing royalty at the Azteca.

He managed to grab a picture with former England striker Alan Shearer and agreed it was also the best match he had ever seen.

"We've probably seen a different side to England - there's been a lot of criticism of the way that we've played in the first four games - but to go to the Azteca against Mexico, and to go down to 10 men in the second half and to come away with the win... is just incredible," he said.

Bellingham had got to be "one of England's best players", he added.

"At the age of 23, it's just incredible."

News imageEngland fans gathered at a pub in Baddeley Green
This social club in Baddeley Green, Stoke-on-Trent was also busy

Pupils at Villiers Primary School in Bilston have all been avoiding the news, as the school is showing the match in full this morning.

Assistant head teacher Carly McKenzie said she had promised pupils her social media feeds would be turned off "and I wouldn't tune into anything at all".

"However," she added, "I am a very light sleeper and heard some cheering in the early hours this morning, so I've got a bit of a feeling, but who knows, we'll see this morning with the children".

News imageBik Singh / The Maggies Customers watching the England match at The Maggies pub.Bik Singh / The Maggies
The Maggies pub in Hall Green stayed open for customers until 05:00

Bik Singh, from The Maggies pub in Hall Green, Birmingham, stayed open until 05:00 and said it was a "wonderful experience".

"We didn't really know what to expect, but the result, obviously, was the icing on the cake," he said.

"It just felt like everyone was on holiday, it just felt like everyone was on a year abroad in one of those bars.

"It was busy, I had to actually pull my finger out and do some work, but when the game started it got serious and customers were really focussed Ito the game.

"Letting everybody out we were trying not to make too much noise, but everyone was so happy and cheerful - and just what a massive result that was."

News imageFans celebrating as England's Harry Kane scored a penalty
Fans celebrated Harry Kane's penalty at the West One bar in Hagley, Birmingham

The manager explained he had now watched the match twice, as he woke his children up at 06:00 to see a recording.

"I didn't tell them the result, and they've had the shock of their lives," he added.

"Now they're buzzing - they're tired but they're buzzing, there's that feel-good factor as well."

News imageEngland fans gathered in The Hod Carrier, Leamington Spa, which has been decorated with World Cup flags
Fans also gathered at The Hod Carrier, Whitnash in Leamington Spa

Even the BBC Weather Watchers are getting in on the England action.

User Hazlenut posted this image, taken in Penkridge, Staffordshire, remarking they were "over the moon this morning".

News imageBBC Weather Watchers/Hazlenut A St George cross flag pictured against a blue sky in Penkridge, StaffordshireBBC Weather Watchers/Hazlenut
BBC Weather Watcher Hazlenut said they were "over the moon" with the result

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