ENGLAND will attempt to reach their first World Cup final in 52 years tonight...and several lucky supporters from south Essex will be in Moscow to cheer them on.

The Three Lions face Croatia for the right to contest the showpiece occasion at the Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.

Jason Jay, from Southend, has been following England at home and abroad since 2004 and has not missed an away qualifier for the last three years.

And he has urged even more supporters to make the trip to Russia if they are able to.

“It is a great occasion to be a part of,” said Jason, 36. “I flew out for the Belgium game which was a bit disappointing and then I came back out this morning.

“I have not missed an away qualifier for three years so when you have been to some of those awful places you have to experience the real thing.

“You can apply for latter rounds in January and FIFA refund you if you get knocked out. I applied for the semi and the final not thinking it would happen but I am so pleased we are here.

“We took a gamble before the quarter-final and book some cheaper flights via Budapest. It is only a one way ticket and hopefully we can be here until Monday.

“That said, this is the fewest England fans I have ever seen travel. It is great and very family orientated and people should fly out if they can.

“I have a few fellow Southend United supporters coming out in the next few days and you get to know people too.

“The match is very tough to call. It could go to extra-time tonight but I am backing us.”

Ryan Goad, from Basildon, is another who will be watching the action in the Russian capital.

And he said he and a friend booked tickets after the quarter-final victory against Sweden.

“My friend and I got tickets late on Sunday night after spending most of the day refreshing the FIFA website,” he said.

“History would suggest it’s a once in a generation chance to go to an England World Cup semi-final so we decided we would try to do all we could to get tickets.

“After getting tickets we were in the air about 24 hours later, flying to Moscow via Istanbul and landing on Tuesday morning. The atmosphere is excellent and the Russians very friendly and welcoming.

“The nerves are beginning to kick in now though but I am predicting a tight and nervy England win. Either 1-0 or 2-1.

“I’d love to stay the final but I might bankrupt myself in doing so. It would be nice to watch England win a semi in the stadium and then a final back in England. Can you imagine the scenes?”