Here We Go

Here we go, here we go, here we go! The football season has started but it was still a surprise to see these teams lining up on a local playing field this afternoon. It could have been a friendly but I didn't think they would be playing yet until much nearer September when amateur leagues usually kick off. Obviously England's disastrous showing in the World Cup has done little to dampen the enthusiasm of these football fans.

You Know You're Old When ....

You know you're old when the vehicle model you learnt to drive in is now a Classic Car.

The new football season kicked off today but it was back about the time that England won the World Cup in 1966 that I was learning to drive and my lessons were supplemented by driving around the District in a company car. That car was a black Austin A40 and the same model was on display this afternoon at Ilkeston Hospital's Annual Garden Party with many other Classic Cars. It certainly makes you feel your age!

A Sad Face

Today is a rest day in the World Cup as the four remaining teams prepare for the semi-finals. A month ago expectations were high that England would be one of them but after their early departure from the competition most of the flags and decorations that were prominent in the town have been taken down. At least one remains though but it has been doctored to show that even in defeat the fans can still keep their sense of humour.

Whipped!

Yet another lovely day and what better way to enjoy it than with a Mr Whippy ice cream. I think the Germans must have been enjoying some as well as their football team certainly whipped Argentina this afternoon and there was no "Hand of God" to help the South Americans this time either.

Hanging By A Thread

I'm not sure whose job is more secure at the moment - this guy working on a tall chimney or Fabio Cappello's. They both appear to be hanging by a thread. One thing is for sure though, the one on the chimney won't be earning £6m a year.

Reprieved

At last the England team put in a performance worth watching although it still hung on a knife's edge right to the very end. But now perhaps Mr. Rooney can understand the fans' frustration after the previous match as they knew the team could always play a lot better. The hope now is that the team will continue in the same vein and not return to the haphazard performances of the previous four internationals. From "rubbish" yesterday England will now be classed as world beaters but secretly we all know nothing is won until the fat lady sings.

 

Not that any of the ladies seen today walking around the town could be called "fat" but they were showing their true colours draped in red and white. In fact I think there were more of the gentler sex in England gear than their male counterparts.

We can relax now then until Sunday when the nervous tension will build all over again.

Happy, Happy, Happy

Research has revealed that yesterday was supposed to be the happiest day of the year. With lighter nights, flowers blooming and looking forward to summer holidays, people in the northern hemisphere are at their most joyful on this day in June.

The researchers obviously didn't factor in the England football team who have been dire in their last four games - two friendlies plus two group matches in the World Cup - and were abysmal last night giving their fans no cause to be happy at all.

England Expects

There's no doubting who the occupants of this house will be supporting tonight in what is being billed as a "must win" game but with favourites Spain and Germany already slipping up against so-called lesser opposition, we shouldn't take it for granted that England will win easily. As is the custom, the players have been put under intense pressure and it could still all end in tears but if support was anything to go by, the trophy would already be on the plane to Heathrow Airport.

Walkabout

We went for a walk about Derby this morning and seeing that the Australian Bar was sporting St George's flags, suddenly I didn't feel quite so guilty about supporting the Socceroos in the World Cup. I still don't expect them to get much further in the competition though on their last showing but you never know.

Changing My Allegience

After yesterday's result where Germany beat Australia I think I'll forget about the sweep and look for another shirt.

Come On You Socceroos!

Although born and bred in the UK, tonight I'm going to be an Aussie and support the team as they take on Germany in the World Cup. I've drawn them in the sweep so all that remains is to don the shirt and grab a tinny from the fridge.

Alive and Well

Elvis is alive and well and will be appearing at the Larklands Hotel in Ilkeston on Saturday.

Don't know how many will be there to witness the event though as all football fans will surely be at home watching England play the USA. Anyway there's a rumour going round that it's an imposter but there is a prize for the best dressed Teddy Boy that turns up. Now I wonder if I can still get into those drainpipe trousers ....

England On Top

As the build up to the World Cup continues, patriotism and England flags are becoming more and more prominent and the St George's Cross has even made an appearance on at least one German vehicle. Knowing of the past rivalry on the soccer fields between the two nations I can only assume from its position that the driver of this particular vehicle is expecting England to come out on top should they meet in South Africa.

Sporting Bias

It's been a week of mixed fortunes for Britain's sportsmen and women. Andy Murray lost to a player ranked much lower than him in straight sets in the US Open and the England cricketers contrived to go four-nil down in the seven match series of one-day internationals against Australia, this despite just beating the Australians to win the Ashes.

But it was the soccer players who grabbed most of the headlines. The ladies exceeded all expectations in the European Championships to reach the final and although beaten by the reigning World and European Champions, Germany, they had a really good tournament and pushed the Germans much harder than the 6-2 score line suggests. Obviously disappointed they will surely come back stronger for the experience. The headline on the BBC site of "Germany Crush England" is far from the truth and shows a journalistic naivete and bias hard to believe from such a usually well respected source.

Wembley Stadium

© Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

The journalists also had a field day when reviewing England's two soccer matches last week showing favouritism and bias that was quite unbelievable. In a friendly match seemingly played at half pace against Slovenia which they won 2-0, the players were rated by several national newspapers and websites. Wayne Rooney missed a hatful of chances but received ratings averaging 8 to 9. On Wednesday Emile Heskey played a vital role spearheading the attack in a match that confirmed England's progress to the World Cup Finals in South Africa next year and he could possibly have scored at least one goal and maybe two but for two excellent saves by Croatia's goalkeeper. As for the ratings, those same papers and websites averaged 4 to 5 for Heskey. Now if that's not biased, I don't know what is.

I was not really in favour of a foreign coach for the national team but if coach Fabio Capello can continue to ignore this journalistic bias, then the team may well have a good chance next year. On the evidence of the last two matches though when they were content to play exhibition football they still don't have the killer instinct of the German Ladies. Half an hour here and there playing good attacking football which is all that we saw this last week will not win them anything in South Africa and then the journalists will be digging out those knives again and going for the jugular.

The biases the media has are much bigger than conservative or liberal. They're about getting ratings, about making money, about doing stories that are easy to cover. - Al Franken (1951 - )