FOOTBALL fans relaxed in the sun as they watched England beat Croatia yesterday afternoon.

Ewood Park hosted a Euros family fun day from noon, ready to welcome fans with a dart board, ice cream van, and balloons to set the perfect place to watch the match.

Tables of six were full of friends eager to see England win their first game of the Euros 2020, and were left cheering when England’s Raheem Sterling scored. a second-half winner David Willets, who would usually be at the game itself, said: “It’s lovely to meet friends again that we haven’t seen for 18 months.

“I had a ticket for the original game last year but when it got cancelled they made us all give them back and I did not bother buying one again for this game, because it was so much hassle.

“This is the first game I have missed in four years, usually I always go whether it’s home or away, but it’s been nice to sit here with friends today.”

Steven Pollard brought his son and their under 13 football team. He said: “We have had a wonderful time and brought our own kids to the game.

“The screen is a bit blurry but the kids are having a good time here running around and watching the game.

Amanda Coupe and her dad Roger Barton were watching the game together. Ms Coupe said: “It’s been great, the game was brilliant, I had predicted we would lose and my dad thought we’d draw, so we’re happy.”

There were a few technical issues with the screen at the beginning but staff at Ewood Park worked quickly to ensure it did not affect the game.

Scott Thornton said: “I have enjoyed being here at the first football event for a while.

“The game was alright, we were the better team, but it was not a great game. I predicted a two-one, so this is a good result for us.”