It’s a figure of speech, of course – sudden drops and heart disease are much more likely to finish you off.
But in sporting terms, the failures that hit hardest are often those preceded by the highest hopes.
And the England football team has given us plenty of reason to be hopeful in recent international tournaments, reaching two finals and a semi under Knight of the Realm, Sir Gareth Southgate.
Central Park, located at Black Rock next to the Marina (Image: The Argus)
Following years of abject failure, Southgate managed to restore a bit of joy and excitement to the burden of being an England supporter.
A common sight during those heady runs to consecutive Euro finals were fan parks packed with fervent followers, turning the sky dark with beer whenever the boys found the back of the net.
With the 2026 World Cup getting underway last week, one such fan zone has appeared on Brighton beach – Central Park, it’s called, though Black Rock is hardly the centre of anywhere.
There was a lot of passion on display (Image: NQ)
Nonetheless, thousands of optimistic supporters made their way down to Central Park last night to watch England’s first match of the tournament, a tough opener against Croatia.
With a nagging, unavoidable sense that England might have half a chance this year, I headed down to the beach to get amongst it.
Kick-off wasn’t until 9pm, but I arrived 90 minutes early to ‘soak up the atmosphere’, as the parlance goes.
And there was plenty to soak up.
Cups were flung skywards whenever England found the net (Image: The Argus)
As if the faces of some England supporters aren’t red enough already, many had adorned their cheeks with crosses of St George, baring their pride at the country actually having a decent football team.
And how pleasant to see the flag flown as a symbol of unity, a welcoming banner to all those who love the game.
The crowds swelled as kick-off approached.
The VIP area had lots of seating and a great view (Image: The Argus)
Things went up a notch when the big screen switched over to Dallas (the venue for the match, not the TV show), and a melody vaguely similar to God Save The King rang out across the park.
Speaking to a few people there, everyone seemed impressed with the new beach venue.
With a giant screen, speakers loud enough to hear the commentary, and a fresh sea breeze blowing in, it was an energetic place to watch a game of footie.
£7.70 for a pint – or £15 for a whopping two pinter – isn’t much more than you’d pay in many city centre pubs, and there were plenty of portaloos and food options.
David Bentley was in high spirits, despite his adventures the night before (Image: The Argus)
Also in attendance was former England footballer David Bentley, the first English player to score at the rebuilt Wembley stadium back in 2007.
He was in very high spirits, whipping the crowd up with predictions of a Harry Kane goal-fest.
He also told me how much fun he’d had with his wife out in the gay bars of Kemp Town the night before – “making great connections.”
Finally, kick-off. The place was abuzz now.
The most vocal young men gathered at the front barriers (Image: The Argus)
Nearest the big screen was the VIP area, with lots of seating and a great view of the action.
Further back, the most raucous of the Three Lions faithful stood up against the barriers, chanting vocally throughout.
As seems to be expected these days, cups of beer were hurled skywards en masse whenever England scored.
With each of their four goals, the skies (and the fans) were doused with the spray of far-flung alcohol.
While the VIP area certainly offered better views and comfier seating, you did have to keep your eyes peeled for airborne cups, which those further back gladly projected into the posh seats.
The vibrant noise was punctuated only by stunned silence when Croatia twice managed to equalise.
The sun went down around half-time (Image: The Argus)
Their second goal, scored in the dying seconds of the first half, was palpably my fault – I’d attempted to beat the loo queue by nipping off 30 seconds early.
Football is much better with a crowd; Central Park demonstrates this fact perfectly.
Watching amongst a throng of passionate fans, you can’t help but get wrapped up in the emotion of it.
Everyone in attendance cared more about the game because of everyone else in attendance.
Pure joy at another England goal (Image: The Argus)
The result was a joyous crowd, boisterous at times but always well-behaved, all of whom went home happy.
Perhaps, this time, it won’t just be England’s supporters coming home.
Oh, fatal hope!
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