An England supporter's tattoo dreams have been brutally knocked out of contention after the Three Lions' semi-final exit. Sean Carrington, a 36-year-old roofer from Wigan, had invested £550 in a foot-long tattoo proclaiming England's World Cup victory – and now he's scrambling to add a crucial caveat: 'only joking'. The inked enthusiast commissioned the artwork after England's win against DR Congo, convinced that it was a surefire sign of future glory.
But with Wednesday night's late defeat to Argentina still stinging, Carrington's premature celebration has left him feeling deflated. He admits he was relieved his initial plan to have 'It's Coming Home' emblazoned across his chest was talked down by staff at Holy Trinity Tattoo Studio in Standish – although that didn't stop him from going through with the more modest version.
Despite the set-back, Carrington insists he has no regrets about getting the tattoo. He reckons it's a harmless laugh, and genuinely believed England would bring home the trophy – even if his heart was racing at an alarming rate as the clock ticked down in Manchester's Depot Mayfield fanzone.
Jordan Stringfellow, another artist at Holy Trinity Studio, praises Carrington's good sense of humour, saying he understood that the tattoo was partly a joke. This isn't the first time England fans have been guilty of getting ahead of themselves – Stringfellow recalls similar instances during previous Euros tournaments. As for Carrington, he's vowed to think before acting with his next impulsive decision.