COLCHESTER football fans undeterred by an early kick-off filled the city’s oldest pub for England’s first match of the controversial Qatar World Cup.

The Marquis, in North Hill, played host to a sea of jubilant crowds earlier today as the nation’s sporting heroes took on Iran in their opening game of the tournament.

Despite the 1pm start time and mid-winter World Cup schedule, fans wearing England shirts descended on the watering hole as a joyous atmosphere filled the air.

This year’s tournament has been overshadowed by Qatar’s human rights record, but many punters told the Gazette they wanted to now focus on the football.

Gazette:

Mark Phipps-Jones, 38, said: “I’ve come out today to just enjoy the experience with my friends, we have done it for years and want to carry on the tradition.

“It’s very strange being here this early and you never experience a World Cup at this time of year - we want to embrace the experience of that really.

“For me, I’m going to say we will reach the quarter finals - but I think we have a good team, they gel well together and I fancy our chances and I have faith.

“I’m aware of the politics but I just think we need to play the football now – that is what we are here for. We are here to support our country.”

Simon Russell, 37, however, said he is not surprised by the extent to which Qatar’s treatment of women and homosexuals is dominating the conversation.  

He said: “Football is politics nowadays - it is not just about football anymore, there is always politics around it and there is politics in every form of football now.

“We’ve come for the atmosphere, to watch the football and to get together with friends.”

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Ashley Thorton-Jones, 30, joined today by pal Tom Barnett, 28, is heading out to England’s next game at the World Cup.

He said: “I am actually going out to Qatar on Thursday. It cost about £2,000 for everything, including the hotel and tickets for the game.

“We have always been kind of aware that Qatar being awarded the World Cup was a dodgy decision but over the last two weeks a light has really been shone on it.”

Aside from the politics of the tournament, Tom wants to see England play an aggressive style of football going forward.

He added: “Having the tournament in November doesn’t seem right and it feels a bit weird.

“I want to see us go out attacking - we should just go out to score as many goals as the opposition really. If we are playing decent teams, we need to go at them.”

Danny Stupples, 39, attended the Marquis for England's 6-2 victory over Iran with friends Ric Gooch, 38, and Chez Bailey, 35.

He said: “It is weird because nobody seems to be that hyped about it like they have been for the last two tournaments.

“It is the wrong time of year because usually you would get the break from the normal season and then there would be loads of build-up to this.”

Chez, a Colchester United fan, acknowledged the issues surrounding this year’s World Cup, but said it was now time for our superstars to do their talking on the pitch.

He said: “It is a very controversial World Cup but it is what it is and the players just have to play the game.

“You would like to think we will get to the semi-finals but there is always pressure on England to do well.”