A football fan is standing by his England tattoo, even after the team’s defeat in the Euro final.
Dan Thomas, 29, from Swindon, Wiltshire, proudly got the “Euro Winners” ink before the final match. Despite England’s loss, he remains optimistic and sees an easy fix: changing the “4” to an “8” for the next Euros, set to be held in England and other UK nations in four years.
The tattoo, featuring the Henri Delaunay Cup and the words “England Euro 2024 Winners,” adorns his left leg. England’s quest for a major men’s trophy since 1966 continues after Mikel Oyarzabal’s late goal secured Spain’s victory, marking a second consecutive final loss for Gareth Southgate’s squad.
“We came close. I don’t regret the tattoo,” Thomas told PA news agency right after the match. “Changing the 4 into an 8 in four years won’t be hard. I won’t cover it up. No regrets; I still love it.”
Thomas called the result “bittersweet” but praised the team’s achievement in reaching the final. “It wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but reaching another final is great,” he said. “It’s just a matter of time before we win something. England played well. Guehi stood out in the match, and Mainoo made a difference throughout the tournament.”
Encouraging other fans to show their support, Thomas dismissed negative comments about his tattoo. “Other people’s opinions don’t phase me,” he said. “I’d encourage others to get tattoos in support of the team in future tournaments.”
Thomas had considered a similar tattoo in 2021 when England faced Italy in the Euro 2020 final. He spent two and a half hours at Reign Barbers and Tattoos in Swindon for his latest artwork, livestreaming the session on TikTok, which garnered 42,000 views.
Tattoo artist Tinashe Chikerema triple-checked Thomas’s commitment before proceeding. “I couldn’t believe he wanted the tattoo, but fair play to him for being confident in the team,” Chikerema said.
Jack Wilkinson, the owner of Reign Barbers and Tattoos and a friend of Thomas, initially thought it was a joke. “I didn’t believe he would go through with it until the needle touched his skin,” Wilkinson said. “It still feels surreal. It sums up Dan as a person—eccentric and Mr. Positive.”