Harry Gration, Yorkshire legend,  former presenter of BBC Look North and now Vice President of the Yorkshire Society writes for the Stray Ferret about Harrogate's Gareth Southgate and his historic England team.  

Make no mistake, this guy’s a special manager.

In my 42 years of broadcasting, many of them involving sporting events, I have met so many football managers who are nonentities. You know the cliched kind: taking each game as they come; it was a game of two halves… so how refreshing it is to hear the England manager, Gareth Southgate, setting new standards in every way.

We’ve seen a man of morals, decency, with community values and nurturing ethics. Can this exist in a world of top flight football? He has collected and moulded this side into what some say is the perfect squad. 

They all work together and protect the Southgate brand. What I like about what I see is in the pursuit of eloquence in this team when they are interviewed. 

There is a pride in playing for their country which happily shines through. Just watch the way they sing the national anthem. Many a year, you got the impression that some either didn’t know the words nor cared.

Gareth is a family man. His son, a chip off the old block, plays cricket alongside my son at their school in York. 

He’s proud of his dad, of course, but prefers to talk quietly about it all and concentrate on his game, cricket. He’s a fast bowler, by the way, and pretty good! He also chose to play for his school the day after that epic semi final. How’s that for loyalty!

Gareth loves living in North Yorkshire, away from the madding crowd. His wife and daughter add to the bond that Gareth has created with his England family. So I’d say that no England manager has established a brand like Gareth. 

They are his boys, picked with great thought and consideration, and put together with real care. Yes, he’s taken some stick on social media at times. But his devotion and total belief in his team is unwavering .

I have never felt so proud of an England team since 1966. Whatever happens on Sunday Gareth Southgate is a winner. Who says the good guys can’t win?

For me ‘arise Sir Gareth’ has a nice ring to it.

Read more:

• No plans for big screen on Stray for Euro 2020 final, says council


• ‘Give Gareth Southgate the freedom of Harrogate borough’