'World Cup Fans' is a special SBS News series running in the lead up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. It looks at the 32 qualifying countries through the eyes of their fans in Australia.
English comedians David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and rock band The Lightning Seeds wrote the song 'Three Lions' in 1996 to celebrate England hosting the European Championships.
To this day it remains an anthem for the national team and the line "Thirty years of hurt, never stopped me dreaming" still resonates strongly.
More than half a century has passed since Geoff Hurst's hat-trick lifted England to victory in the 1966 FIFA World Cup final against West Germany.
The tournament has ended in heartbreak for the Three Lions ever since, but England fans remain positive.
SBS News spoke to a group of England fans living in Sydney. Source: SBS News
"Every year you hope they're going to get there and then we get less and less further in the competition every time," Martin Lee Wood, an English expat living in Sydney, told SBS News.
"Every single time that it comes around, whether it be a World Cup or the European Championships, you still go down to that pub with the same optimism."
"Unfortunately they never quite come up with anything, but I'm sure they will eventually."
England came closest to winning a second World Cup in 1990. A magical run to the semi-finals ended in agony, losing to West Germany on penalties.
Tears streamed down the faces of players after the shootout and Paul Gascoigne crying remains one of football's most iconic images.
A tearful Paul Gascoigne after the 1990 World Cup Semi Final. Source: Bob Thomas Sports Photography / Getty Images
Nick Goodwin, another Sydney-based England fan, was one of many who shared the country's pain.
"I think the whole country cried during that time," he said.
"I felt anger, frustration, you know, the injustice of the penalties."
England failed to win a game at the last World Cup in Brazil but the Three Lions have received a favourable draw for the group stage in Russia. They will take on Belgium, Panama and Tunisia.
Tottenham and England stars Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Source: Getty Images
England fan Mick Ford believes the current team could be the one that ends the 52-year World Cup drought.
"We've got more of a chance then we've ever had to be fair," he said.
"We're going to win it."
England's young guns will hope to carry their domestic form into the tournament.
Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli and Harry Kane are among those currently starring in the English Premier League.
England begins its campaign against Tunisia on 19 June.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup begins 15 June. SBS will broadcast the biggest games, including the opening match, semi-finals and final, live, free and in HD.
