ENGLAND'S World Cup dream may have ended in anti-climax, but the spirit of the English fans has been a bonus throughout the tournament.

They have been well behaved, hugely supportive, and a credit to their country.

And that is why they deserved better than the embarrassing "back door" homecoming arranged for the England players.

Of course, it is impossible to dismiss the serious security implications of staging a reception for the quarter-finalists.

But there must have been a better way to treat the legions of fans who wanted to pay tribute to a team which had gone from no-hopers to one of the top eight countries in the world.

With due respect to Tony Blair, a reception at 10 Downing Street is not the issue. What was important was that supporters who endured the highs and lows of the World Cup campaign were given a chance to welcome the team back.

After the new wave of patriotism inspired by the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations, and the flag-waving scenes across the country during the World Cup, it was an opportunity missed.

Whatever may be organised now, the moment has been lost, with players due to leave on well-deserved holidays before the start of the new Premiership season.

The controversy does, however, have a silver lining. It demonstrates that the England team - despite a disappointing performance against Brazil - has done enough to stir the passions of a country desperate for national sporting success.

If they had been a flop, no one would have wanted to turn out.

It's Tim's turn

ENGLAND'S World Cup dream is over. The players are home and it is to be hoped that David Seaman receives many more messages of support than condemnation.

But a new dream starts today. Wimbledon begins and so does the annual torture of willing Tim Henman to finally do it for the home side.

Virginia Wade won it in the Queen's Silver Jubilee year and the country will go wild if Henman can make it a golden double.

In two weeks' time, Tim might have helped us all get over the aching disappointment of our World Cup anti-climax. And no one will thank him more than David Seaman.