Company bought 18,000 'England World Cup winners' t-shirts and now face major loss

A company in the UK is facing a 'major loss' after purchasing 18,000 t-shirts with 'England World Cup winners' printed on the front.

The Three Lions were eliminated at the quarter-final stage of the competition for a record sixth time after a 2-1 defeat to France on Saturday evening.

Goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Olivier Giroud were enough to send Gareth Southgate's side home, despite Harry Kane's equaliser from the penalty spot in the second half.

Kane had the chance to equalise from the spot five minutes from time after Mason Mount was bundled over by Theo Hernandez.

The England captain couldn't keep his cool for a second time and skied his penalty high into the Al Bayt Stadium stands.

If anyone has a reason to be distraught over England's failure to bring it home, it's Dorset-based businessman Karl Baxter.

Mr Baxter, managing director of Dorset-based Wholesale Clearance UK, wanted to sell t-shirts for £29.99 each but now has to shift them at a reduced price.

What message is on the shirts exactly? Well, it reads: "England, World Cup winners 2022. [Football is] finally home."

They're now available here for a cut-price £9.99. Last minute Secret Santa?

Mr Baxter explained in a press release: "I’m absolutely gutted that England has been knocked out of the World Cup.

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"I have been really impressed with England’s performance in Qatar and was sure they would win this year’s tournament. When approached by a supplier to sell the shirts, I simply couldn’t say, ‘No.'

"But now I’ve been left with 18,000 shirts that say they’ve won, and I’m not sure what to do.

"I’d like to appeal to England fans to purchase one of the shirts, to keep it as a piece of history and a reminder of how well our team played throughout the tournament. While they haven’t won, they are still winners in my eyes."

Speculation surrounding Southgate's position as manager has grown in recent days.

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The 52-year-old's record in knockout games is impressive. He England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the final of Euro 2020.

However, a disappointing Nations League campaign earlier this year, with the nadir being a 4-0 defeat to Hungary which saw England booed by their own fans inside Molineux, is said to have taken its toll.

Southgate admitted he's feeling 'conflicted' about his future following Saturday's loss. The FA would like Southgate, contracted until 2024, to remain in charge.