Man decks out decking despite wife's disapproval

Alfie Patterson, a middle-aged man wearing an England football shirt, sitting in his garden. England flags are draped on the walls and across the chairs. They are also are draped over the tables and from bunting above him. An England flag has been painted on the decking.

Alfie Patterson said his wife was not impressed he had painted their decking in support of England football team

Adam Powell and Tom MacDougallNorth East and Cumbria

A football-obsessed man has decked out his decking and garden in St George's crosses - despite his wife's disapproval.

Almost every inch of Alfie Patterson's garden in Blyth, Northumberland, has been draped in flags, with even the gnomes wearing England kits.

The space will be used by his family and friends to watch England's World Cup quarter final performance against Norway, which kicks off at 22:00 BST.

He said his wife was "a little bit upset" he had painted her favourite decking in red and white, but they had reached a compromise after he promised her he would paint it all-white in time for Christmas.

"It's going to look like snow and give the winter effect, so now she's quite happy," he said.

An alternate view of the garden, which shows he has created a line-up of England's team on his fence by tacking up kit shirts and printing photos of the players' heads. We can also see rows of red-and-white striped chairs, which will be used by his audience to watch the match.

Alfie's family and friends are gathering in the garden to watch England v Norway in the World Cup

He said his life "revolves around my grandchildren and football" after he gave up his 34-year passion of caring for racing pigeons, in order to spend more time with family.

He added he believed England's only hope of beating Norway's imposing striker Erling Haaland - who usually plays for Manchester City - was defender Dan Burn, who usually plays for Newcastle United.

The winner will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the last four on 15 July.

But Patterson, who is otherwise a Sunderland AFC fan, said the outcome would be a "win-win" for him because he had placed a side bet on Norway.

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