Let me tell you, being a football fan is a peculiar kind of faith. You invest your heart in a team, in a set of colors, and you ride the waves of their fortune as if it were your own. For me, and for millions, that team is the Three Lions, England’s national football team. Their story isn't just about trophies—it’s about expectation, identity, and that uniquely English blend of hope and endearing, often heartbreaking, drama. Writing this guide, I want to take you through that rich tapestry, from the dusty pages of history to the bright, data-driven future, and share why this team, for all its famous agonies, never fails to captivate.

The history of the Three Lions is, in many ways, the history of the modern game itself. As the birthplace of football, England’s journey is foundational. That 1966 World Cup win at Wembley, with Geoff Hurst’s controversial yet immortal hat-trick, isn't just a highlight reel moment; it’s the nation’s footballing origin myth. But what fascinates me more than the pinnacle are the valleys that followed. The decades of near-misses—the penalty shootout heartbreaks in 1990, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2006, 2012, and the recent Euro 2020 final—have forged a collective psyche. We’ve developed a gallows humor about it. I remember watching the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia, that early Kieran Trippier free-kick sparking a belief so fierce it was almost painful. When it slipped away, the feeling wasn’t even surprise; it was a familiar, bittersweet resignation. That’s the emotional contract with this team. The history isn't just in the record books, which show 1 World Cup and 0 European Championships; it’s in the shared memory of those agonizing 12-yard walks back to the center circle.

When we talk about the players, we’re really talking about evolving archetypes. From the gentlemanly Bobby Charlton to the fiery Paul Gascoigne, from the golden boy David Beckham to the relentless goalscorer Harry Kane, each era’s stars reflect the England of their time. The current crop, managed by Gareth Southgate, feels different. I’ve been particularly impressed by the character. They’re technically gifted, of course—Phil Foden’s close control, Jude Bellingham’s preternatural maturity at just 20, Bukayo Saka’s directness—but there’s a resilience and collective spirit that previous "Golden Generations" sometimes lacked. Southgate has fostered an environment where they play for the badge and for each other. It reminds me of a sentiment I once heard from a athlete in a different context, a basketball player named Padrigao facing a hostile crowd. He said, "Coming into this game, no. I have good friends... Wala naman akong ine-expect na boo or anything." That mindset—focusing on your support, your purpose, and blocking out the external noise—is what I see in this England squad. They’re not carrying the weight of past failures as a burden; they’re using it as a shared motivation. Harry Kane, with his 62 international goals as of my last count, isn't just a striker; he’s the quiet leader embodying this new professionalism.

So, what about the future? This is where my optimism, usually guarded, starts to bubble over. The pipeline of talent is arguably the best it’s been since the 2000s. Beyond the established names, the under-21s and under-19s are stocked with players like Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and a host of others performing at the highest club levels. The data analytics now employed by the FA are light-years ahead of the old "eye-test" methods. We’re developing players who are tactically flexible, comfortable in multiple systems—a necessity for international tournaments. The future isn't just about hoping for a lucky run; it’s about building a sustainable machine for success. My personal view? The next major trophy is closer than we think. The Euro 2024 tournament in Germany will be a massive test, and I’d put England’s chances at a solid 28%, making them one of the top three favorites. The key will be converting dominant possession—they averaged 59% at the last World Cup—into decisive moments in the very biggest games. They need to shed the final vestiges of that historical caution.

In the end, following the Three Lions is a perpetual lesson in managed expectation. The history is a crown of thorns and a single, shining star. The players are the vessels of our collective hope, now more equipped than ever. The future is a spreadsheet of xG stats and a teenager dribbling in a park dreaming of Wembley. For all the analysis, the data, and the tactics, it still comes down to those 90 minutes where anything can happen. That’s why we watch. That’s why, despite the boos of disappointment that have echoed through the decades—much like an athlete might face from a crowd—the true fans, the friends of the team, keep asking for tickets. We keep showing up, expecting not jeers, but the possibility, however fleeting, of glory. And maybe, just maybe, this time, that faith will be rewarded.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.