IF only it had said 2014!
A carnival float celebrating landmarks in the history of the old Wembley Stadium included a large reference to England’s World Cup triumph in 1966.
It was the cruellest of ironies, coming just hours after England’s earliest exit from the competition since 1958.
The float, one of the entries in the Netley Marsh Carnival on Saturday, was made by members of the 6th New Forest North Chestnut Beavers.
England fans were left wondering what might have been as they watched the procession make its way from the Gamekeeper pub in Woodlands Road to the hall next to St Matthew’s Church in Ringwood Road.
Beaver leader Stuart Philps admitted: “It is a bit ironic.
“There were a few more England flags on the float to start with, but some were replaced by Saints ones after what happened.”
However, England’s humiliating departure from Brazil did not prevent the Beavers from winning first prize in the group entry category.
The theme of this year’s carnival was As Time Goes By.
Members of the Netley Marsh Rainbows were dressed as fob watches while the Rufus Cubs portrayed characters from the past, including Sherlock Holmes and a First World War soldier.
Carnival queen Amy Alder, 14, was joined by her two princesses, Chloe Carroll, eight, and six-year-old Abbie Brown.
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