SOME say the home of English football is Wembley.

But they'd be wrong.

New figures published by Google show it is in fact Marks Tey which takes that gong.

In the lead up to Euro 2016, which begins in June, the internet search giant has released stats which record how many people are Googling the England team.

Marks Tey sits pretty at the top the league, with a Google rating of 100, which takes into account towns and villages' population.

The village's closest rival is Lilleshall, in Shropshire, which has a Google rating of 89.

Marks Tey's self-confessed football 'Stato' Richard Hipkin said he's not surprised the "football mad" village came out on top.

The 49-year-old, who runs Chateau Wine, in London Road, said: "The number of football fans who we have coming in here is incredible.

"The place is football mad.

"I've got one customer who is a Juventus [who play in Turin, Italy] season ticket holder for goodness sake."

He added: "People are always talking about football.

"We have the Panini Euro 2016 stickers and we sell hundreds of them - but not to kids, to adults."

The former Marks Tey FC manager and Ipswich Town fan feels a special connection with the national side, having been born during the 1966 World Cup, which was won by a Bobby Moore-captained England.

The dad-of-two added: "I was born in 1966, for my 30th I went to Euro 96 and for my 40th I was in Germany for the World Cup and one way or another, I'm going to be in France for my 50th."

Mr Hipkin has travelled to see the national side all over the world, as well as at home, but still finds time to follow his beloved Ipswich Town.

Despite being put off by Fabio Capello's reign between 2008 and 2012, the shop owner is confident of England's chances this summer, adding: "I think we will at least make the semis."

He added: "It's funny to think the home of football in England is Marks Tey, where most people are Col U and Ipswich Town fans. What does that tell you about English football?"

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Local football clubs - Marks Tey FC (East Essex Football League, Div 2), Colchester United (League 1), Ipswich Town (Championship)

Population – 2,551

Number of England football players – 0

Distance to Wembley – 65.8 miles

Time spent travelling to Wembley –1hr 23 minutes

Distance to Euro 2016 final in Paris – 310 miles