But, as these pictures from Frank Reid show, Poolies still enjoyed themselves – in the main – while watching the Euro 2024 clash on giant television screens in Hartlepool pubs.
For nostalgic photos of England fans watching vital games in town boozers from 1996-2022, click here.
![Avaya Healey, one, with her dad Zac and mam Kate Edwards watching the game against Denmark in The Raby Arms. Picture by FRANK REID](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjVkNzY4ODQzLTNmNzUtNGJiMi1iYzdmLTA1NjI2Mzg2ZGNlYToyNmU2ZTQ1Yi01OWM5LTRiMDktOTYxNS0yMmJjYjJlYjBkNjQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
13. Family fun
Avaya Healey, one, with her dad Zac and mam Kate Edwards watching the game against Denmark in The Raby Arms. Picture by FRANK REIDPhoto: Frank Reid
![England fans raise their arms in The Park Inn. Picture by FRANK REID](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjY1YTg2ZWQ2LWY0MmEtNDVmMC05NTkwLWZlOWYwMGExOTk5OTplMTA5NDY4OS00MWYwLTRhNWItYWE5Yy1lYjIzYTE2YjE4N2Y=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
14. Arms aloft
England fans raise their arms in The Park Inn. Picture by FRANK REIDPhoto: Frank Reid
![An England fan smiles for the camera at The Park Inn. Picture by FRANK REID](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmZiYmM5YTc3LWY3YzEtNDBhZS05MWFjLTVmNTJlMWRiNzI4MTo3OGRlZGFhOC03OWJhLTQ3N2YtYWVhZi01OTI5YzIzYjcyZTY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
15. Flying the flag
An England fan smiles for the camera at The Park Inn. Picture by FRANK REIDPhoto: Frank Reid
![England fans watching the game against Denmark outdoors at The Raby Arms. Picture by FRANK REID](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ0OWQ4Nzk0LTg2YjQtNGYwZS05MGNhLTQ1NDA2MzA3YTBhODoxNmZiYzBjYS1hNzcwLTQ1ZGYtOWRmZi00MjVhNWEyZjYwZDY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
16. Is it coming home?
England fans watching the game against Denmark outdoors at The Raby Arms. Picture by FRANK REIDPhoto: Frank Reid