A GROUP of England mad football fans are trying to get the city into World Cup fever by decorating Southampton in the iconic red and white of the St Georges' cross.

Tony Baddams and his mates have stuck up flags throughout the city, with many appearing across Six Dials and St Marys.

PHOTOS: See the England flags appearing across Southampton

The 50-year-old has for more than a decade trumpeted England's cause when the World Cup comes around.

Disappointed that the city hadn't backed the team, which is currently in Russia for the tournament, Tony and his pals began putting the flags up in the hope to inspire others to believe in the national side.

The Daily Echo featured Tony in 2010 and 2014, as the fan who plastered his house in England memorabilia.

But opting against covering his home this time around, he wanted to spread the message to the wider community.

He said: "I wanted to try and make people realise that this team could go really far in the tournament.

"It's a young team but for some reason the expectation of us doing well wasn't there. So we thought lets put some flags up and get the city behind the team.

"Loads of people have contacted me to say what a great thing we are doing and we've had no complaints whatsoever.

"Even the emergency services have tooted us - one group even shouted 'it's coming home'."

So far more than 100 flags have been put up but Tony has vowed to continue decorating the city, especially if the team goes further in Russia.

England take on Sweden on Saturday in their first quarter-final appearance since 2006.

If they make it through they'll play either Croatia or Russia for a place in this year's World Cup final.

Tony hopes to decorate the parks next and replace any stolen flags from Six Dials.

It's not just Tony who has been bitten by the World Cup bug.

Royston Smith, MP for Southampton, Itchen, tweeted: "We were all told not to expect too much but it’s almost impossible not to be optimistic. One step at a time though #ComeOnEngland."