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Let’s fly the English flag with pride.

Compare the hype of the 2006 World Cup to 2018, what’s missing? England flags.

In 2006, I remember going into shops, bars, schools – you couldn’t walk 20 metres without seeing an England flag.

Whether sticking out of a car window, bunting going across a school playground or hanging over a pub window - England flags were everywhere.

Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s would have shelves full of all sorts of England merchandise – this World Cup, I can’t find any!

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Over the years, flying the flag has become more and more synonymous with the far-right – but why should they have any more right to fly the St George’s Cross than you or I?

The English flag has become associated with the national front, the EDL and other far right groups– it frustrates me.

It frustrates me because we have allowed this to happen.

(Image: DAILY MIRROR)

Collectively, we hesitate to fly the English flag with pride during major sporting events because we are worried about the connotations behind the way it has been hijacked.

When our sporting men and women represent us across the world, we should all be able to fly the flag with pride. No more should this be the case than right now, especially given the fantastic chance England have.

I am proud to be born and raised in England and enjoy supporting my national team, England.

With millions of other fans across the country, I am not alone.

I want the England flag to be associated with English sporting successes and I don't want us to hesitate flying it.

It should be associated with Freddie Flintoff and the team winning the ashes, Bobby Moore lifting the World Cup, with Anthony Joshua beating Wilder – not far-right extremists fighting police down Whitehall.

Other countries have deep pride when displaying their national flag.

We have some sort of reluctance because of the way the far-right have seized its image.

Let’s reclaim this ground, it’s the World Cup, we are proud of our team, we’ve just won our first ever World Cup penalty shootout!

We’re cheering on Harry Kane and the team– let’s fly St George’s Cross with pride!

It’s coming home!