Ha ha! I was wondering if someone would get personal.
Never imagined it would come from colonial quarters.
Of course I’m a “miserable old git.” Yet I’ve got far more humour than misery.
I suppose that, at heart, I can’t stand this modern hype and gladiatorial style of football, so loved by youngsters , whereby anything goes.
When playing footie at school, I should have been expelled for repeating many of the fouls and cheats carried out today.
You mentioned 1966. Prior to the final, England played Argentina and their centre half, Rattin, gave the best defensive performance I’ve ever seen. England had no chance of getting past him.
Nobby Stiles spent the whole game fouling but when Rattin committed a foul, he was sent off. That convinced me of the bias towards World Cup hosts.
It was repeated in 1978 when Argentina needed a better goal difference to qualify- and were allowed to kick off their match after their main opponent’s game had ended.
Bustino, I make no apologies for my sense of fair play and hate of cheating overriding my patriotism for England’s team.
Since playing football as a young kid on the cobbled back streets, my love of the game was imprinted on my soul.
The ruling bodies have succeeded in butchering it into an ugly caricature.
Best wishes. Keep smiling.
