World Cup 2010 remembered by pictures in north Essex

The streets are lined with England flags and renditions of Baddiel and Skinner’s Three Lions fill the air led by jubilant supporters.

That’s if we’re winning, of course.

This summer marks 13 years since the world’s greatest tournament landed in South Africa, which became the first African nation to host the finals.

Support - Kori Tuckwell, 13, watches on in the school hall at Thomas Lord Audley (Image: Newsquest)

On the big screen - Odeon in Head Street opened its doors to supporters for a special screening (Image: Newsquest)

Special offer - Frank Wright's Butchers' Adrian Blake with Carrie Coleman (Image: Newsquest)

It is hard to think about the 2010 event without the iconic buzz of vuvuzelas and Shakira’s hit Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) coming to mind.

And the carnival atmosphere was felt at home here in north Essex too.

Pupils at Thomas Lord Audley school enjoyed a special screening of England’s 1-0 win over Slovenia in the group stage while others took to the region’s pubs to nervously watch on during other fixtures.

The Odeon cinema in Head Street also opened its doors to supporters wanting to watch the Three Lions’ bore draw against Algeria on June 18.

Kitted out - Ryan Coley, Iris Loftus, Jorja-Louise Gudgeon, Lauren Proctor and Jessica Fitzgibbon at Springlands Nursery (Image: Newsquest)

Banging time - Infants at John Bunyan enjoyed a day of African drumming (Image: Newsquest)

On the ball - George Whiting, Bethany Parker, Phil Cooper, Olyver Medding and Sidney Reeve of Bradfield Primary School (Image: Newsquest)

The Rev John Hills was praying for a successful tournament as Frinton Free Church showed some of the games.

And Frank Wright’s Butchers in Colchester offered a banging World Cup promotion on its sausages.

Across the region, schools held World Cup days which were attended by youngsters in their finest footballing kit.

Infant students at John Bunyan school in Braintree got stuck into African drumming during a unique day of masterclasses.

Cheering on - supporters watch an England match at Quilters in Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

Divine intervention - The Rev John Hills was praying for a successful tournament at Frinton Free Church (Image: Newsquest)

Match ready - staff from St Helena Hospice and Boyden estate agents (Image: Newsquest)

Culture - Colchester High School pupils work on a world project linked to the World Cup (Image: Newsquest)

Despite the outpouring of support - and desperation for silverware – naturally the Three Lions’ campaign would end in disappointment.

Of course, it was the Germans who dumped our side out at the Last 16 stage in a mix of humiliation and controversy.

Who can forget the infamous ghost goal where referee Jorge Larrionda and his officials failed to spot Frank Lampard’s strike cross the line?

Who knows, perhaps if luck was on our side football might just have come home that summer.