Football fans are calling for every town in England to recognise Gareth Southgate’s unique impact on the national game.
Colin Bland, a diehard England fan, is leading the campaign.
‘The inspiration for the campaign came on a shopping trip to Bath,’ says Colin. ‘By chance, we parked near the railway station in the Southgate car park. That gave me the idea that every town in England should have a Southgate car park, as a tribute to Gareth.’
Colin believes that car parks embody Gareth’s unique contribution to English football. They are practical, workmanlike, have a highly hourly rate and have a good chance of penalties.
Some towns are ahead of the game. As well as Bath, there are already Southgate car parks in Chichester, Bradford, Stevenage, Gloucester and Bury St Edmunds. Colin wants to create a national network to cover the whole of England to create a special memorial to everything that Gareth has brought to the team. ‘This is a lasting legacy that will live forever. Or at least for quite a long time,’ says Colin.
Colin says the campaign is gaining momentum on FaceSpace, InstaBalls, and other social media sites. ‘If we win the final, then we expect our campaign to really take off. Creating a Southgate car park is quick and easy. Choose the local car park with the least attractive name, and rename it. Job done!
‘If, god forbid, we lose the final, then a car park would still be a fitting monument. In this case, we suggest renaming a car park near a funeral directors, sewage works, or the Conservative Club. Hopefully the next England manager will then be inspired to avoid a similar fate.'
Is Colin from Portsmouth?