DRUID King Arthur Pendragon will cast a summer solstice spell to power England to victory over Denmark at Euro 2024 tonight.
His Stonehenge ceremony, set to pounding drums, will summon the spirits of the ancients to fire up Gareth Southgate’s heroes.
Jon RowleyDruid King Arthur Pendragon predicts 2-0 pain for the Danes in this evening’s crunch Euro 2024 clash[/caption]
PAThe druid’s Stonehenge ceremony will summon the spirits of the ancients to fire up Gareth Southgate’s heroes[/caption]
Three Lions fan King Arthur, 69, of Salisbury, Wilts, said: “I’ll be sending special healing power to John Stones to get him fit to face the Danes. We’ll need our defence to be as strong as Stonehenge from now — so we definitely need Stones.
“The spell will channel all of our country’s natural energy to help the Three Lions to a 2-0 victory.
“Druids are like sorcerers and ancient wizards. We can direct natural energy — it’s very powerful and our boys will be able to pick up on it in Frankfurt.”
Prince William, as President of the FA, will be among the stadium crowd — on the eve of his 42nd birthday.
And a third of fans are planning to dodge work to watch the Group C clash.
King Arthur was born John Timothy Rothwell.
A former soldier and biker-gang member, he changed his name by deed poll 37 years ago after becoming convinced he was a reincarnation of the mythical monarch.
He and lionhearts across England are praying for an upsurge in form after Jude Bellingham starred in England’s laboured 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday.
Another win would secure England’s place in the knockout rounds.
The last time the Three Lions played on the summer solstice was a 0-0 draw with Slovakia at Euro 2016.
They won 4-2 against Croatia at Euro 2004 on the longest day, but lost 2-1 to Brazil in the 2002 World Cup quarter-final.
But King Arthur said: “The solstice can affect people in different ways. England might have been nervy in past solstice-day games, but the positive energy we send will help get the national team’s record back on track.
“King Arthur and the ancients will be on our side. And if Gareth needs any more help, he can just give me a call.”
PAJude Bellingham fans were ready to cheer him on in front of a 12ft portrait in his hometown[/caption]
Around 15 million are expected to watch on BBC, the biggest tea-time TV rating of the year. Bosses are braced for a mid-afternoon rush for the door.
The economy faces a £208million hit with workers leaving early or watching at desks, says the Office for National Statistics.
Experts estimate 14 million staff will work from home, three million will take a day’s leave, and holiday rates will rocket by 123 per cent.
HR boss Alan Price said: “It looks like Slope-off Thursday. The best advice for bosses to keep staff on side is to let them watch the game at work and make up lost working time later.”
Pubs and supermarkets are set for a £100million bonanza.
And data from the British Beer and Pub Association suggests ten million pints will be drunk in pubs and 13 million more at home.
BEER BONANZA
Chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “Fans know there’s no better place to watch live than at the pub, so many will enjoy a post-work beer and cheer on England.”
Yesterday thousands of England fans sang with Danes and had kickabouts in Frankfurt’s Romerburg Square.
Only 10,000 England tickets were available through Uefa but many more supporters were expected to be among the crowd.
Meanwhile, Bellingham fans were ready to cheer him on in front of a 12ft portrait in his hometown of Stourbridge, West Mids.
The mural, by Brummie street artist Gent 48, appeared ahead of the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
Rev Andrew Sillis, 58, of nearby St Thomas’s Church, reckons England can go all the way.
He said: “The whole world now knows of Jude Bellingham and his exceptional talent. We’re all really proud of him.”
AND THESE SILLY STUNTS WON’T STOP THEM…
By Alex West
ECO-IDIOTS who sprayed Stonehenge with orange powdered paint were branded “disgraceful” by the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Two Just Stop Oil protesters attacked the Wilts world heritage site at midday — hours before thousands gathered to see in the summer solstice.
The pair, named as Rajan Naidu, 73, and Niamh Lynch, 21, were arrested at the scene.
Regular visitor Sean Moran, 64, said: “It was devastating. I was very angry.”
English Heritage said experts were assessing the damage to the stones.