THE World Cup is all over, the face paint put away and all that beer that was thrown in the air when we scored has dried up.

No more matches to look forward to and watch as Gareth Southgate’s England team tear into every one in their path.

But the joy that this team brought to the nation has not gone away.

Just like the 60ft high flag put up by Seasons Scaffolding in Hove, the happiness that this World Cup campaign created is easy to see if you look for it.

Are we imagining it, or has everyone been a lot nicer to each other in recent weeks?

The editor of this newspaper was in the chemist last week and overheard the pharmacist and other staff debating the merits of the England team. They were all excited and in a good mood, discussing the beautiful game.

People on the buses and trains have had smiles on their faces if you bring up the football.

Even since we lost to Croatia in that heartbreaking semi final, the gloss has not gone away.

A lot of people seemed to be saying they were not interested before the World Cup started, no belief that we would put on a good display.

That display of disinterest is now exposed as the worst case of denial and pretence. The nation was hooked from the start.

We created the game and though we did not win the World Cup, football did come home.

We can’t say it better than Steve Eason, director of

Seasons Scaffolding: “they went and had fun and brought us all back together. People have fallen back in love with the England side after a lot couldn’t be bothered to watch them.”