AN ENGLAND superfan who covered his house in the flag of St George has slammed vile trolls who call him “racist”.
Martin Baker, 50, has decked out his home in Thanington, Canterbury with dozens of flags in celebration of his beloved country competing in the Euro 2024 tournament.
Martin, a bricklayer and father-of-three, even painted the red and white emblem over his driveway to show support for the Three Lions, who last night beat Serbia 1-0.
He told KentOnline: “The neighbours don’t seem to mind, and people are always stopping to take photos outside with all the flags.”
But Martin said that when a picture of his patriotic home was posted online, some people slammed the St George flag for being associated with racism.
Martin said: “There were some nasty comments with people saying things like, ‘You’re National Front’ and ‘What universal credit do you claim?’
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“But I just laughed it off. I put the flags up for a bit of fun.
“At the end of the day, I live in England, I’m in England, I’m England through and through and I’ll fly the English flag if I want to.”
Martin is such a dedicated England fan that he even has the Three Lions badge tattooed on his chest.
He went to watch his national team play in Portugal during the 2004 Euros.
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But this year he is making do with watching the matches at the pub with some friends.
He believed England could “go all the way” this year, saying the team has a decent mix of youth and experience.
Martin said: “So long as we make it through the group stages, I think we’ve got a great chance.”
While some were clearly unimpressed with Martin’s choice of house decor, others heaped praise on him for the public display of patriotism.
Colin Winch wrote on Facebook: “It’s great to see people love the country they live in.”
Cherilyn Neaves said: “Well done you for not worrying about what others think.
“Why shouldn’t you fly the England flag as this is England after all.
“English through and through.”
One commenter, Sara Jane Weeks, posted: “I would not want to live nextdoor to that state.”
Others rushed to defend Martin, including Andy James Harvey, who wrote: “Just as well you don’t then, isn’t it.”
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The Three Lions edged out Serbia in their tense Euro 2024 opener at the Veltins-Arena yesterday.
Jude Bellingham netted the all-important goal as Southgate’s side won 1-0.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
