World Cup 2018: The handwritten letter Gareth Southgate's gave to all his England staff revealed

England lost in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night meaning they go into the third-place play-off

Gareth Southgate left a handwritten individual letter to each member of staff who travelled to Russia with England for the World Cup 2018, it has been revealed.

England exited the World Cup on Wednesday night after a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Croatia in the semi-finals in Moscow, meaning they now have the unwanted task of a third-place play-off against Belgium on Saturday.

No one expected England to get this far though at one of the reasons for this success has been the togetherness and unity Southgate and instilled on the squad, and seemingly it was right from the get-go in June.

Upon arriving in Repino, which would be England’s base for the next month, staff arrived in their hotel rooms with a personalised note from Southgate.

Following the defeat, Jim Lucas, who does England’s social media, shared the note on his Twitter page.

It read: “The more I see, the more important it is that when ‘attacking this tournament’ we tell our own story.

“You’re capturing that brilliantly. Keep doing it and I hope this World Cup brings you unforgettable personal memories. Best wishes, Gareth.”

England are expected to arrive back in the country on Sunday following the third-place play-off in what will likely be a repeat of the when the Three Lions put out their second-string side against Belgium’s reserves in the final group game of the tournament.