England fans are renowned for making their voices heard as they follow the Three Lions at major international tournaments.
Throughout World Cups and European Championships, English fans travel in their thousands, full of confidence of seeing their team achieve glory and finally “bring football home”.
Despite failing to win a major title in men’s football since lifting the FIFA World Cup in 1966 on home soil, fans’ optimism always seems to be high, even when performances on the pitch don’t live up to expectations.
Her strong support includes a variety of songs, with a more recent addition to the album being Neil Diamond’s hit, “Sweet Caroline.”
So why do England fans sing it?
Why do England fans sing Sweet Caroline?
There are many theories behind why England fans have adopted Sweet Caroline as the team’s unofficial anthem.
The main link focuses on England’s march to the Euro 2020 final, held in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, when Wembley DJ Tony Parry started a trend.
Following England’s quarter-final win over Germany, Parry opted to use Sweet Caroline instead of the previous fan favourite ‘Vindaloo’, and fans loved it.
The entire England team sings “Sweet Caroline” photo.twitter.com/SVPvb3q3P9
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) July 7, 2021
It has since been included in the pre- and post-match playlist at Wembley when England play, as well as being adopted by fans both away and at home. It is often sung enthusiastically after a victory, most notably when England’s women’s team won the Euro 2022 title at Wembley Stadium.
English Fan Songs: “It’s Coming Home” and Other Chants
England fans never run out of songs to sing at big international matches and Sweet Caroline is the latest in a long line of songs for their supporters.
In previous tournaments there were some somewhat clumsy attempts by players to create “official” tournament songs, including John Barnes’ rap as part of New Order’s World in Motion before the 1990 World Cup.
However, England’s most famous song came before Euro ’96, when comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner teamed up with rock band The Lightning Seeds to record the iconic “Three Lions/It’s Coming Home.”
“He’s coming home!” ????????
Nothing better to start the party than singing along @IanZBroudie and the @Semillas_Lightning ?#VirginRadioUK @talksport#EURO2024 #3Lions #ItsComingHome #SRBENG image.twitter.com/sZyOGRWPwg
— Virgin Radio UK (@VirginRadioUK) June 16, 2024
The song was updated for the 1998 and 2022 World Cups and remains the go-to song for England fans following their team. It’s why you often hear “It’s coming home” in the stands during an England game, and why Leonardo Bonucci shouted “Roma is coming!” into the camera after Italy won the penalty shoot-out at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final.
