Unabashed by the faltering start made by England, Gingernuts Gary, Simon and Dan are “Backing the Beard” for the World Cup. This means that whilst England remain in the competition, they will leave their razors in the bathroom cabinet and eschew the pleasure of a clean-shaven jaw line – all in the cause of doing their bit for England.

Hopefully England will be competing in South Africa for a while yet and, although this may well mean the guys looking more and more akin to some kind of ne’er-do-wells and vagabonds, their self-imposed unkempt appearance may be a small price to pay for a measure of World Cup glory.

So please spare a small thought for the guys, but perhaps a bigger ones for their nearest and dearest who may be a little less near and dear while Fabio keeps the Cross of St George flying.