THEY had gathered together, hopeful and confident of beating age-old adversaries and righting past footballing wrongs – but it all ended in tears for England fans yesterday.

They flocked to pubs, clubs and bars across the region only to be left heartbroken once again by the inability of the national team – sporting an all-red kit – to overcome its arch rivals Germany.

The 4-1 defeat was greeted with dismay by supporters bedecked in white and red jerseys and waving St George flags.

England’s inept defending throughout the game did not go down well at all, nor did the performance from the Uruguayan assistant referee who wrongly ruled out a fine strike from Frank Lampard.p Adam Nicholson, manager of the White Horse in Framlingham, said supporters couldn’t believe their eyes when the “ghost goal” wasn’t given.

He said: “Everyone knew we were going to lose anyway, that was half the problem. When the ball crossed the line, everybody couldn’t believe it – it was so far over it was obvious.”

Dejected fans at the Marquis of Granby pub in Colchester could not hide their disappointment as they watched their heroes fall short once again.

The North Hill pub had four screens inside and extras in the beer garden to make sure no-one missed out on the crucial game.

With many fans wearing their England shirts in hope and expectation, the pub fell largely silent towards the end of the game as the tension became unbearable. Some supporters walked out before the end, unable to bear witnessing the end of England’s World Cup dream.

At kick-off, the Spread Eagle Pub in Bury St Edmunds had been packed with optimistic fans. But long before the final whistle the pub, on Out Westgate, was virtually deserted.

At the end of the game a woman at the bar shouted: “If Lampard’s goal had stood it would have been completely different.”

“That’s right, love,” replied a man wearing an England shirt. “It would have been 4-2.”

So it’s time to dry our eyes and enjoy the rest of the tournament, including the efforts of Messi, Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo and co, without all the anguish.