Nissan rebrands its 'Southgate' in honour of England boss Gareth

The factory’s Goods Entrance has been known as The South Gate ever since the plant first opened 35 years ago and is used by thousands of staff and part delivery drivers every single day.

Now the firm has renamed the entrance The Nissan Southgate – complete with a picture of England’s team manager Gareth Southgate

The work was carried out ahead of last night’s thrilling 2-1 semi-final win over Denmark.

Now England will face Italy in the final of the delayed tournament on Sunday night.

Nissan HR Director Michael Jude said: “Thousands of our team here at the plant and supplier delivery drivers use the Nissan Plant South Gate every single day.

“To show our support for Gareth and the lads we’ve renamed it the Nissan Southgate, complete with a picture of the man himself.

"Come on England!”

Sunderland-born stars Jordan Henderson and Jordan Pickford have been among England’s highlights during the tournament so far.

Gareth Southgate’s side took their time to get going in the opening stages of the competition, scoring just two goals in their three group stage matches.

But Jordan Pickford’s performance in the England nets ensured those two Raheem Sterling goals were enough to see the team through to the knock-out stages with two 1-0 wins and a goalless draw.

Mikkel Damsgaard’s stunning free-kick to give Denmark the lead produced the first goal that Pickford had conceded all tournament. The former St Robert of Newminster pupil had kept clean sheets against Scotland, Croatia and the Czech Republic in the group stage and then against Germany and Ukraine in the knock-out stages.

The Ukraine win was England’s seventh consecutive clean sheet, the first time the Three Lions have achieved such a run in the history of the national side.

The goals have started to flow as England have progressed through to the last two, and Jordan Henderson has been among the scorers.

The Farringdon Sports Academy old boy came off the bench to bag his first ever England goal – in his 62nd appearance for his country – to round off the 4-0 rout of Ukraine in the quarter-finals.

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