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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Daniel Boffey in Dortmund

‘Can’t start a fire’: Why England fans at Euros are channelling Springsteen

England's Phil Foden (centre) celebrates with his family after the semi-final win over the Netherlands
England's Phil Foden (centre) celebrates with his family after the semi-final win over the Netherlands. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA

Thomas Concannon, 32, from Newcastle, works for the Football Supporters Association, follows England home and away, and counts Germany as his fifth tournament. He first heard it in Gelsenkirchen before the opening tie against Serbia.

After carrying out a little detective work, Andrew Lawn, author of We Lose Every Week: The History of Football Chanting, reckons it first emerged in the pre-tournament friendlies in June.

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