Leading by example: Gerrard will captain England at this summer's tournament

Perhaps the most excited to be there was Jagielka, and not just because he was the last-minute replacement for the injured Barry.

‘My grandparents are Polish,’ he said. ‘They moved over in about 1948, via Africa, and  settled in Weaverham. My  grandad died just before I was born, hence the middle name (Nikodem). My grandma, my babcia, lives in Weaverham  now. My dad lives there too. She’ll be happy to see me go back to Poland.

‘My dad speaks Polish but I can only manage the odd hello and goodbye. I’m not telling the lads that because I don’t want to get stitched up.’

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