BACK in May 1996, the country was preparing for football 'coming home' with Euro 96.
England would come so close to ending '30 years of hurt', as they reached the semi-finals of the tournament.
But - surprise, surprise - they were denied a place in the final by Germany, who came out on top after a penalty shootout.
The decisive penalty was missed by Aston Villa and England defender - and now England manager - Gareth Southgate.
Rewind one month, and we find happier times for Southgate... and the team of footballers from Heathfield Community School in Taunton who had the chance to meet him.
The Heathfield boys travelled to Aston Villa FC to compete in the national finals of a new nationwide indoor five-a-side tournament - the Wagon Wheels National Cup.
The team was one of 12 to qualify for the tournament through a series of local and regional competitions, and they performed well on the day - only just being pipped to a semi-final place.
Pictured with Southgate, and team manager Andrew Fielding are: Lee Baker, Andrew Robertson, Nick Walker, Mark Wadham, Justin Porter, Jason Elsley, Rhys Williams and James Hill.
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