FOOTBALL may not be coming home but the love of the game has been reignited on English shores - and clubs in the community are set to benefit.

England lost on Wednesday night in the semi finals, and again on Saturday, but the World Cup has generally been a great success.

The aim following the Olympics in London was to create a legacy and it is hoped, as with 1990 and the football then, this summer will also help inspire people into sport.

It is also hoped the players in this squad will be used as examples just like Basildon’s very own Casey Stoney was when she was representing her country.

Basildon C&K Ladies and Girls have some of the most successful woman and under 18 girls teams in Essex, and they will be among the clubs hoping England’s World Cup near miss will bring even more talented youngsters into their ranks.

Theirs is not the only successful girls team in the area, with Forest Glade girls, based in Billericay, growing rapidly.

Claire Wilding works with the under 18 side at the club, and is expecting an uptake in all the age groups.

She said: “The girls sides have been growing over the summer, and I would like to think that is due to the World Cup.

“We’ve had the Forest teams here for ten years now, but they have been growing rapidly in the last couple, largely due to Gary Henderson and the way he has pushed us on.

“It has been a fantastic tournament, I spoke to a few of the girls when it had just started and they were all loving it.

“They did us proud, we have had a lot of disappointment over the years, so this success is great to see, and I do not doubt it will have a positive affect.”

Already the number one sport with boys across the country, Concord Rangers on Canvey are expecting a boost across youth ages and abilities.

And those involved with the club are expecting the regular sight of Lionel Messi shirts at training to be replaced with the likes of Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson shirts.

Chris Search, of Concord Rangers youth, said: “When Wimbledon is on you see more tennis rackets out and about, and it will do the same for the football.

“This tournament has unified the country in a way we haven’t seen recently.

“And it has been about teams setting the right example too.

“It is restoring national side, and this is a young England team that the kids can look up to and idolise.

“With the kids, it is all about enjoying it and loving the game.

“And we have seen a national team who have enjoyed themselves and done us proud.

“That is something hugely positive.

“I think a tournament like this can also change parents perspectives.

“Aome parents don’t want their kids to play football, because they see the bad press footballers get.

“But this is a humble team and a team that could convince parents not so keen to say, no, I will let them have a go.”

And the success could help professional clubs too such as Southend United FC who could see an increase in attendances as a result of the international team’s relative success.