Chelmsford football superfan covers house with flags for Euros -

5 hours ago

By Shivani Chaudhari, BBC News, Essex

Paul Bibby is a football superfan and often decks his home with England flags ahead of football tournaments

Harriet Morter / BBC Paul Bibby wearing a football top standing in front of his home, which is covered in England Flags — Paul Bibby is a football superfan and often decks his home with England flags ahead of football tournaments

A football superfan has wrapped his home in England flags and bunting to bring the winning spirit ahead of the Euros.

Paul Bibby, 58, from Chelmsford, Essex, has spent a day-and-a-half putting up the patriotic decorations ahead of England’s opening 2024 match against Serbia on Sunday.

During the past 16 years, he has become well-known for decorating his home for royal occasions, football tournaments and Christmas.

This year, neighbours and onlookers would be able to count 20 large St George’s flags and 400 streams of bunting.

Paul Bibby has put up hundreds of flags around his home. He is standing with his son Aaron

Harriet Morter / BBC Paul and Aarson Bibby standing in front of their home — Paul Bibby has put up hundreds of flags around his home. He is standing with his son Aaron

Mr Bibby said the flags had only cost him about £50 this year because he has been collecting them for the past few years.

He said he was not worried about them being ruined by the rain, but was more concerned about windy weather.

The West Ham fan said he really hoped the Three Lions bring home the Henri Delaunay Cup from the tournament in Germany.

The England men’s team has never won the European Championships, falling just short in the 2021 Wembley final when they were beaten on penalties by Italy.

Mr Bibby said he hoped Gareth Southgate’s team would win something in his lifetime.