this is a picture taken of the wall in my study. I’ll take pictures of the rest of our walls in due course, riveting that they are. But this one is special. As you can see. It has a photo (quite small) of The Family and a signed photo (quite big) of Pele and Jairzinho in the 1970 World Cup. This, some would think, represents my personal value system: little consideration and concern for the family but a massive love and devotion to football. If this wall truly did represent my values, Pele’s picture would obviously be much bigger, there’d be one of my car and if any room left, maybe a thumbnail of my nearest and dearest.

Anyway…
that photo of Pele not only shows the greatest footballer ever (ok, that’s debatable, but as it my page, keep your opinions to yourself) but as part of the greatest team that ever played the game (and that’s not even in question by anyone). And in the best World Cup ever.

Because there was 1966, which I remember, but only just, which was massive for England and the finals that we, as a nation, have yet to live down, nearly 50 years later. But 1970 was simply magical. Wonderful. Brilliant football, most of it played by the ‘ultimate’ Brazil team who won with such style, such panache, such silly names, that their achievement will never be overtaken. Until it is.

So can England win this tournament? I’d hazard a guess at ‘not a fucking chance in a zillion’ but there’s always some slim possibility. I like Roy Hodgson, and respect more than anything that he is actually prepared to drop Wayne Rooney if necessary. A sentence previously treated in the same light as: I’d murder my own mother, if necessary. I’d rape my own grandfather, if necessary. I’d vote UKIP, if necessary. Because so many managers have ‘built the team’ around Rooney. To bring out the best in Him. To accentuate His strong points. And then he puts away a kebab too many, lays on a few pounds, gets his head in the wrong place (up a grandma’s skirt) and generally tragically disappoints. Yes, he can be brilliant (that goal against Arsenal when he was 9 years old and wearing an Everton shirt), but more often than not he tragically disappoints, so a plan B is essential.

Is the World Cup still ‘the ultimate tournament? Now the Champions League is so massive at club level? Well if the World Cup is devalued in the eyes of the fans, its only because of what those moronic fuckwits at FIFA have done to it. Well, ‘moronic’ is being kind. ‘Corrupt’ is the alternative explanation for awarding the 2022 finals to Qatar. The single most ridiculous thing in sport, ever. Qatar is not a footballing nation, its just a stinking rich one. Its not a nice place. It averages over 40 degrees all summer, when the World Cup is played, and if Israel were to qualify, their team wouldn’t be allowed in. Unless they collectively used fake passports and pretended they were Koreans.

I am a little excited. Just a little. Mainly at the wonderful prospect of four weeks with endless football on tv. Assuming ‘Brazil’ is finished on time.

Happy Sunday

A xxxx