Sadly it hadn’t been a love affair that had lasted all that long. In the World Cup of 86 we’d been knocked out due to the basketball abilities of a young Maradona. Four years later and every English football fan witnessed the unforgettable Italia 90. With the affable persona of BBCs Des Lynam, Gazzas tears, penalty heartbreak and the stirring melody of Nessun Dorma, this was a competition that delivered more drama than a Christmas Day omnibus of Eastenders. That tournament, some twenty three years ago, was truly the last time I genuinely cared about England’s fortunes at international level.
Some four years later and the barracking of Barnes was my epiphany. John Barnes was my sporting idol, the first poster attached to my bedroom wall and to hear his own countrymen turning on him was simply incomprehensible.
Euro 96 provided a reminder that England could not only compete at the highest level but also hold a tournament as good as anything that had gone before it. That tournament went some way towards reigniting my passion for the national side.
My father was one of the lucky ninety-six thousand who witnessed England defeat West Germany at Wembley in 1966, a truly inspirational experience I’d imagine. How the game has changed though, some contributory factors include tribal-like rivalries, the present day players involved, the media and the accompanying TV coverage.
There are such strong feelings of animosity and hostility towards Messer’s Cole, Terry & Rooney that cheering them on has become a demanding task for the average fan. On average the modern day footballer is a multimillionaire superstar so detached from the reality of the average fan that a connection between the two is nigh impossible.
The intensity, rivalry and increased popularity of the Premier League results in certain players being truly revered and in equal measure detested. Taking 1990 for example, Lineker, Gascoigne and Butcher had no connection to Liverpool Football Club but were likable and easy to support.
Perhaps the modern day media, especially the tabloids, are somewhat responsible for creating the Pantomime Villains such as Cole and Terry. Weekly stories about player’s private lives and their wives or girlfriends only illuminates how low some of their morale standards are. Drug revelations involving Kyle Walker originated in June but our national press choose to hold the story back and publish it this week, the week when England face a crucial match with the Ukraine.
I find difficulty being passionate in any way about an England team should it consist mainly of Manchester Utd and Chelsea footballers. Week in and week out these players are the sworn enemy so to momentarily place that animosity on hold and cheer them on against the Faroe Islands in a meaningless friendly doesn’t come easy.
ITV treat such England friendlies as if the existence of the entire sport depends upon the result. The punditry makes the viewing experience even less tolerable with Roy Keane yet to smile or laugh during his entire tenure. Mr Keane, you are not being tortured, regular payments are sent to your bank account in exchange for your views and analysis on selected football matches. Please enjoy that concept or kindly allow someone else to do so.
While watching England nowadays my major concern is whether or not one of the Liverpool players involved picks up an injury. In such an instance, the resulting questions which follow concern the severity of the injury and their consequential absence from the Liverpool first team. Steven Gerrard’s presence as Captain does retain my interest but his combative and uncompromising style makes him, above most, the likeliest in terms of injury.
Health wise, England games are far better for me as is any European Championship or Word Cup Tournament. In the case of the latter I’ll happily watch as many of the 64 matches as my wife will allow over the months duration and throughout each and every one I’m calmness personified.
During the recent Manchester Utd game my pulse rate was increasing about an hour prior to kick off. Usually the nervous tension will remain throughout the match until the final whistle unless, of course, the reds are enjoying a comfortable victory. Whether I’m advising Glen Johnson as to where his opponent is or instructing Coutinho of exactly when to release a pass, my wife rightly tells me that ‘they can’t hear you, you know’. I’m aware of this and yet unable to resist shouting at a box in the corner of the room. Although it’s worse for my health, Liverpool Football Club is a drug that I’m forever addicted to.
With time I have become more passionate about my club and in equal measure less so about my national team. Many a Liverpudlian will tell you that they are not English but Scouse and whether this local pride and apathy towards the national team is countrywide is a debate for another day.
Greg Dyke plans to implement a thorough review of the English game from the very top right the way down and although this has received some early criticism in some quarters his ideas are clearly positive.
Over the coming decade or two it looks likely that there will not only be an increase in English players at the top domestic level but also an implemented change in how grass roots football is tutored and played.
For now, however, if I were offered an England World Cup victory or a Liverpool Premier League title the choice is easy, number 19 please.
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