David Artell says that England’s success at Euro 2020 gives everyone a spring in their step, including his players. The Alex boss is a firm believer that sport has the capacity to inspire people and that England reaching its first major final for 55 years with that 2-1 win over Denmark last night, has only increased the feel-good-factor in the country after the restrictions of the pandemic.

England face Italy in Sunday’s final at Wembley and Artell is hoping that the Three Lions can finish the job off and win a first ever European Championship.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Sport and especially football in this country can inspire and it gives everyone a lift. We have had a torrid 18 months or so with the lockdowns and all that, so to see the feel-good-factor back and how it affects the whole country is just great to see.

“It gives everyone a huge lift. We were all in the canteen this morning, having some breakfast together and the lads had a real tough day yesterday. It was a hard day and I am sure they were feeling a bit tired and stiff and all that but you wouldn’t have known. The noise and banter was good and they were discussing the game and on about Sunday.

“No one was in a bad mood and that may have been different if England had lost. They would have been feeling those aches and pains a lot more and probably thought; now I have got to go into work and mentally it would have tougher. I am sure everyone feels better this morning and that is what sport can do, it’s the beauty of football for me.

He added: “Even the foreign lads, the Welsh and Mika being French, it’s all good fun and they are just as bright and bubbly, it’s just terrific to see.”