Apparently we English rate ourselves as the least patriotic nation in Europe.

Two thirds of those who took part in a recent poll did not even know that this Friday (April 23) is St George’s Day.

Not surprisingly we lagged way behind the Irish, Scots and Welsh in a chart topped by the Dutch.

So what is the problem?

In our household St George’s Day has always been remembered and celebrated.

It might be because my father is from Malta – a country rewarded with the George Cross during the Second World War.

The cross, which depicts the effigy of St George Slaying the dragon, is still displayed on the Maltese flag and I know for a fact that many of my family across the Med will enjoy a drink on Friday to celebrate England’s Patron Saint’s Day.

On these shores more and more is being done to encourage people to enjoy the day. However, there still seems to be a stigma attached to people celebrating the fact that they are English.

Many believe the Cross of St George is only ever waved by football thugs or BNP supporters.

The survey, commissioned by This England magazine, revealed that only one in ten people would happily fly the cross of St George to celebrate our national saint’s day.

Two in ten said they thought they would be told by to remove it by their local council if they flew it from their home.

And who can blame them?

Councils in Bradford and the West Midlands have previously banned St George’s Day parades because they believe they would cause trouble and were 'tribal'.

More worryingly four out of ten people said they felt England had completely lost its national identity.

No doubt there will be a rise of patriotism this summer for the World Cup, but it is only during major sporting events that I can recall seeing members of the public flying the English flag with pride.

Why not celebrate St George’s Day this Friday? Have a drink, let your hair down and be proud to be English. Who knows, you might enjoy it.

“Spare a thought for those stuck abroad,” the newsreader said.

Spare a thought? For those lucky so-and-sos enjoying a free week in the sun? I don’t think so.

Despite pleas from my wife to go away for seven days last week, I dug my heels in and held firm citing issues around the garden and in the home that I needed to turn my attention to during a week off. The real reason of course was that, as a Spurs fan, I had three very important football matches to attend.

Reminding her that we only had to wait until July for our summer hols all had settled down until her friend text from Miami on Sunday night.

“Still stuck in Florida, tour company paying, so now enjoying a free week.”

If looks could kill.