Reporting by Henry Sandercock

It may be just hours to go before the biggest football tournament in Europe this year... but you wouldn't know it in Kent.

The county is taking a muted stance to Euro 2016, just one day before England's opening match against Russia.

A walk from Rochester to Gillingham revealed just a few England flags: entire blocks of flats were devoid of the St George’s cross and most pubs did not even have signs offering football on their massive HD screens.

It would appear, from the evidence in Medway at least, that the English have simply lost their appetite for the beautiful game.

In Chatham High Street, most people did not seem overly bothered about the tournament - with only one person questioned by us really looking forward to watching the games.

When asked whether she will be watching the Three Lions in action, one woman said that she would not because she would most likely doze off.

A man we approached said he will only watch the tournament because there is nothing else worthwhile on television.

Head to Sheppey, and footy fever has not so much as raised the temperature there either.

Phil Chislett, manager of the Aviator pub at Queenborough Corner, Sheppey, said: "It's quite low key at the moment.

Video: How Medway folk are getting ready for Euro 2016... or not!

"I don't know if it's the referendum having an effect, that everyone's tired of Europe related things, or just that not many people take an interest until we do well or it reaches the quarter or semi-finals."

But if it's football fever you want, there's one fan who just had to stick his beak in.

kmfm's very own Sparkles the Wonder Hen is top of the pecking order when it comes to predicting the winner of matches.

The video below shows his prediction - with a little help from the breakfast show's Emma - for the England v Russia match tomorrow.

But, did he ruffle a few feathers with a Russian choice, or plump for our boys?

Also getting into the Euro 2016 spirit is the Source Bar in Rose Yard, Maidstone.

It has put up the bunting ready for Saturday's game.

The popular nightspot is hosting a street party to give revellers the chance to get involved with the action, which will be beamed onto a giant LED screen.

There will be an outdoor BBQ and face painting at the free event.

Greenacre Academy in Walderslade Road, Chatham, is also behind our boys.

The school emailed parents to say they will be sending pupils home early on Thursday, so they can watch the England v Wales game, at 2pm.

Pupils will leave school at 12.30pm.

The email said: “With the academies’ continuous strive to promote British values, we feel many of our students would want to spend time with their families and friends to watch this sporting fixture.”

And one company has promised its employees a special treat for the games taking place during working hours.

Marc Smith, a director at Metalfab Engineering in Rochester, said: “As [England v Wales] is during the day, we’re letting everyone have the afternoon off so that they can go to the pub, go home, whatever they want to do.

“It’s unusual around here. I think a lot of people are carrying on [as normal] and making people watch it on record so I think our employees are quite happy.

“It’s lucky that their bosses are football fans. We want to have the afternoon off so we’re letting everyone else have the afternoon off.”

Pubs in the area are expecting a big turnout for all of the games, while bookmakers say they have seen a rise in betting ahead of tonight’s opening fixture.

England open their campaign against Russia tomorrow evening and have a crunch tie against Wales next Thursday, before their final group-phase match against Slovakia on Monday, June 20.