FOOTBALL fans across Southampton have joined forces to describe the council’s crackdown on St George’s flags as a disgrace.

They have backed council tenant Karl Staples who is determined to keep the banners, bunting and balloons he has put up outside his flat in Weston, despite being told by housing bosses to take them down.

Supporters include football nut Tony Baddams who had just put the finishing touches to his home in St Mary’s.

The avid England support ter has adorned every inch of his four-bedroom terrace rented house with England flags, shirts and even fluffy dice.

Not even the windows and doors of the Derby Road property have escaped being plastered with giant flags in a bid by Tony to show the depth of his support for the national side. Tony, 42, said: “It has taken the best part of a week but it is well worth it. It is what I do every World Cup and this year I have decided to cover every inch of the house.

“The council should use a bit of common sense, this is the World Cup and it is a show of support for the team.”

To add an international flavour, Tony, a father of four and grandfather to two, has strung up flags from the other World Cup nations. But it will be England all the way when the kick-off comes. His wife Anita, 39 is right behind him.

Tim Murray, the south coast representative for the England supporters club also voiced his support for Karl.

He said: “It is a disgrace. It shows that some people have not got anything better to spend their time or taxpayers’ money on. This is a guy who just wants to support his football team and they should show some common sense.”

However, Southampton City Council insisted they were fully supportive of tenants showing their support for their team, but the number and size of flags had to be reasonable.

They said there were rules governing what could be displayed on council owned property and in communal areas.

As a result they said no flags on the Weston flat would be removed until they had a chance to speak to Mr Staples to work out a compromise.

Cllr Phil Williams said a meeting between housing officials was being planned to work out how a middle ground could be reached.