I offended some readers this week with my confession that I’m not very invested in the Euros results this year.

Some commenters were horrified by what they perceived as me trashing something that could “finally bring the country together” again after Covid.

There I was thinking that the pandemic was something that had brought the country together, with Clap for Carers and a huge surge in volunteering.

Anyway - if you were an offended party, I suggest you look away now, because I’m afraid I’m talking about the football again - with a real complaint this time.

My husband is football mad, and because I’m sometimes a good wife, I accompanied him to watch the England game on Saturday night.

In good company, with a buzzing atmosphere, even I can enjoy watching sport. We did get off to a grand start with a gin or two warming my belly and a jovial crowd setting the mood.

Things went downhill quite rapidly however, as my sympathy for the bar staff soon outweighed my enjoyment of the game.

READ MORE: Antisocial behaviour linked to England games reported in Wiltshire

At first I smiled at the loud chanting coming from the pub garden - I’m not a killjoy, I like to hear a jolly clever football ditty or two.

But soon I watched in disbelief as the friendly family venue descended into chaos. I wasn’t at a sports bar with a ‘rough’ reputation - more a place you’d take your Nan for Sunday lunch.

But there is something about international football that transcends the usual rules - a long tradition of hooliganism perhaps - seen by some with rose-tinted glasses.

The staff were clear-eyed enough. Well not quite - some were bleary-eyed from exhaustion or on the verge of tears trying to cope with the terrible behaviour on top of the high demand.

Bits of roofing could be seen crashing onto furniture below as a crowd jumped up and down on tables bashing the outdoor ceiling with their fists.

Tables were overturned and copious amounts of glass smashed.

The shouting and jumping was so continuous, I sincerely doubt any of those outside could hear or see the game.

Regulars enjoying the match in a respectful manner on the indoor screens had a much better chance of actually following what was going on.

Which makes me suspect those causing this nightmare were not true fans at all, just young people - and their mothers it seemed - who jumped at the excuse to let go of the normal rules of decency.

Please enjoy the football all you want, but it’s no excuse to act like an ********.

Full story about the pub troubles to follow.