Euro 96: killing me softly

Some of our favourite pieces from the romantic summer of Euro 96.

Centred around Trafalgar Square, the scene of one of English football’s biggest nights of shame.

A tournament that saw England briefly come together and generate a feel good atmosphere so strong it was thought John Major might even be gifted another term in office. 

‘Three Lions’ became the adopted national anthem. Baddiel & Skinner were the 90’s Poet & Vuj. Shearer was scoring again. Gazza became the best thing since pie & mash. 

Ironically, ‘Killing me softly’ was number 1 for almost all of the tournament, not the ‘It’s coming home’ belter. Which just about sums up England’s regularly second best efforts.

Of course, it had to be Europa Meisters Germany to end the euro dream. Within minutes of Southgate’s penalty miss, 2,000 enraged England fans descended on Trafalgar Square and pelted police with anything they could launch.

Cars were overturned and set alight and shop windows smashed as riot police struggled to contain the carnage. The night saw England’s mostly positive image from the tournament shatter as 200 arrests were made, 66 people were injured, 40 vehicles and 7 buildings were damaged.

Disorder took place across the country and a bittersweet feeling was left to hang around the legacy of Euro 96.

Photography: Savhanna Skillern

Styling/direction & words: Harry Sims