It may have ultimately ended in disappointment but it was still a night to remember at the Northern Competitions Stadium on Sunday night.

Hoping to cheer on England to glory against Spain in the Euro 2024 final, 2,000 people made their way to the home of Barrow Raiders to watch the game on the big screen. 

Reporting live for The Mail, I was lucky enough to be there for the occasion, experiencing the same highs and lows as the other thousands of fans.

(Image: Matthew Holmes) (Image: Matthew Holmes)

Many of that number had been at Craven Park since 2pm to watch the Wimbledon final, in which Carlos Alcaraz retained his title against Novak Djokovic - just the start of Spanish celebrations on the day, it turned out.

The true atmosphere, however, started once the build-up began for the main event with people on seats on the benches placed across the hallowed turf or even resorting to bringing their own from home.

People arrived at the stadium bedecked in flags and patriotic hats, whilst several also resorted to painted faces to truly show their support.

One young fan who got in the spirit of the occasionOne young fan who got in the spirit of the occasion (Image: Matthew Holmes)

One eager fan even showed off her skills on the harmonica, claiming to have learned the famous Three Lions song especially for the occasion.

At times, in truth, the level of excitement was largely dampened by what was seen as a drab first half besides loud roars for a crucial John Stones interception and excited shouts when Phil Foden came close.

Those at the Barrow fan zone refused to lose hope following the first Spain goal, a sense of belief that was rewarded when Cole Palmer found the equaliser.

Cue the throwing of pints. I was perhaps fortunate not to have been covered by the wave of sacrificed alcohol.

Whilst the night started off as a party, it would finish with anticlimactic defeat, regardless of the few hopeful shouts from the crowd that the Spanish winner had come from an offside position.

That still cannot take anything away from the experience, especially for the kids around me who used the opportunity to turn the rugby field into a football pitch.

They will be dreaming of becoming the next Jude Bellingham or Kobbie Mainoo - maybe it will be up to that next generation to lift a trophy for England.