An England fan who was so convinced the Three Lions would win the World Cup that he got a huge tattoo celebrating the “win” has decided to add the words “only joking” underneath.

Sean Carrington got the foot-long £550 inking of the trophy with the words “England World Cup Winner 2026” written below it after the team beat DR Congo.

But along with millions of other supporters he was left railing at another frustrating England exit after Wednesday night’s late defeat against Argentina in the semi-final.

The 36-year-old, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, said he had “no regrets” about having it done and was now considering how to have it amended.

However, he admitted he was pleased he rowed back on his original plan – which was to get “It’s Coming Home” emblazoned across his chest.

Sean watched the match at Manchester’s Depot Mayfield fanzone and said the mood was hopeful when England took the lead with Anthony Gordon’s neat strike in the 55th minute.

“The atmosphere was crazy until the very end. But we sat back and gave it away,” he said.

“It was depressing – it ended up so flat.”

Regarding his tattoo, he said: “I’ll probably get ‘only joking’ added to it.”

He said the team at Holy Trinity Tattoo Studio in Standish talked him out of his original idea.

“That was more of a laugh but the World Cup trophy – in my heart I thought we’d do it,” he said.

“I’d so love them to win it.”

He admitted he was a “bit of a joker” but added: “I’ve not done anything like this before”.

Sean, who has eight other tattoos, mainly the names of family members, said he was “impulsive” but has no plans for any more ill-advised inks.

The roofer, who said he was “too tender” to go to work on Thursday morning, said he was shocked at how much attention his tattoo got.

“It went viral,” he said.

He earlier told the BBC how he got the idea for the tattoo when he was watching the tournament on holiday in Tenerife and was egged on by friends.

But he had to wait until he returned before a studio could fit him in.

Holy Trinity’s manager Jamie Taylor said: “I was dubious at first and told him it was permanent and wouldn’t wash off.

“He was adamant, though,” she said.

Jordan Stringfellow, who also works at the studio, said: “Sean has a great sense of humour and won’t be bothered.

“He always knew it was a joke and a good craic.

“He wanted to get ‘it’s coming home’ across his chest but I said that was taking it too far.”

The 34-year-old said Sean was not the first England fan to be premature with tattoos.

“It happened in the Euros.They got an England flag and ‘It’s Coming Home’,” he said.

“It jinxed it.”

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