Sunday 13 June 2010

Top 5 favourite England moments - 1) Psycho's screaming

What would you say is the one quality the English like to associate themselves with above any other? A stiff upper lip? Stoicism? A reserved nature? A good sense of humour?

At least in footballing terms, they like to think of themselves as the hardworking, long suffering fighters, battling their way to achievement through sheer grit and determination, occasionally excelling but often making up for their deficiencies by showing great courage against the odds. That's how I see it anyway.

Stuart Pearce in Euro '96 was probably the personification of this ideal. By no means the most technically gifted of players, he was infinitely adored for his displays of passion, his no nonsense approach and his hard tackling.

Of course he was also a man carrying a great burden. His penalty shoot-out miss, along with that of Chris Waddle in the World Cup semi-final in 1990, cost England a place in their first final since '66 and probably, considering the unsettled nature of potential final opponents Argentina at the time, the nation's best shot at regaining the trophy to date.

Come a Euro '96 quarter-final shootout with Spain six years later, it showed monumental courage to step up to the spot and put himself in that same vulnerable position a second time.

Aware of the significance, we held our breath as Barry Davies, commentating for the BBC, caught the mood perfectly - "....his chance to banish the memory of Turin."

As Pearce's left foot strike eluded the outstretched arm of Spain's diving keeper, the pain of those 6 years and the redemption now found, welled up to produce a moment of raw emotion.

Not only was it significant in terms of his own penance, but seemed, in one gesture, to symbolise the entire nation's 30 years of hurt. The imagined long suffering nature we like to portray was being played out in front of us, thousands, including myself, mimicking Pearce in defiant response.

The full highlights are below but the moment in question can be seen at 4min 20s. Enjoy!

Friday 11 June 2010

Top 5 favourite England moments - 2) Gazza's goal versus Scotland

A second appearance in this countdown for one Paul Gascoigne and certainly, for my money, the defining moment of his England career. At 1-0 up, England had just conceded a penalty which was duly saved by goalkeeper David Seaman.

Within a minute or so, the ball was being looped forward into the path of the onrushing England midfielder who, displaying wonderful creativity, chose instantly to flick the ball, left footed, over the distraught figure of Colin Hendry.

As the ball dropped perfectly to Gazza's right foot, I remember feeling the rise of adrenalin, let alone the literal rise of my body, as we left our seats knowing the ball was falling perfectly for the volley.

That Gazza executed it with such aplomb was no mean feat, despite the collective expectation, and gloriously the ball nestled in the left hand corner of the Scottish net.

Memorably, the celebration recreated the controversial 'dentist chair' drinking incident, an embarassment when it became the focus of scandalous revelations about the squad's Asian tour exploits on the eve of the tournament.

However, if Gazza was lumbered with the ringleader tag in that controversy, he was now taking on the same mantle with regard to England's further success at the tournament.

See it in all its glory at 1 minute 30 seconds.

Thursday 10 June 2010

Top 5 favourite England moments - 3) England's 3rd versus Holland

In the final group game of Euro '96 England finally came good. To date it's one of the handful of performances I can remember where I truly felt that we were world beaters.

The passing, movement and total control England displayed that night was the true blossoming of the euphoria surrounding the tournament, on home soil and with the spectre of '66 looming large from 30 years past.

The crowning moment of the match, the 3rd goal, was scored by Shearer but involved Gascogine and Sheringham, the latter contributing the most audacious of schoolboy dummies to setup the goal scorer when everyone was expecting him to shoot.

It was symbolic of the confidence and swagger England exuded on the night. Seldom seen since.

Alan Shearer Goal Against Holland Euro 96

jonathan | MySpace Video

Top 5 favourite England moments - 4) Michael Owen versus Argentina

Just 18 years old and still to convince manager Glen Hoddle of his ability (he'd been left on the bench for the first two games of the '98 World Cup), Owen laid any doubts to rest with arguably the greatest England World Cup goal in history.

Against the auld enemy Argentina, it was a piece of individual brilliance that suggested our progress to the next round had somehow been preordained. Sadly, of course, this wasn't the case, but perhaps more tragically, who could have believed then that Owen would never return to the heights displayed here?

Though he is, no doubt, now rightly reflecting on a stellar England career that sees him sitting 4th in the all-time England goalscorers list, the wondrous abandon and skill of the teenager that ran defenders ragged that night in St Etienne would never really be seen again. Injuries, perhaps more than anything, prevented the fulfilment of that goal's promise.

Wednesday 9 June 2010

Top 5 favourite England moments - 5) Gazza's tears


I'm just about old enough to remember Italia '90 but at the age of 8 it wasn't the goals of Lineker or Platt that scorched their image onto my young, impressionable mind. My lasting memory is of Gazza's tears.

His booking in the semi-final against Germany meant that, were England to progress to the final, he would have to miss out, suspended for his second yellow card of the tournament. The realisation was so overwhelming that his emotions spilled onto the Turin turf.

What makes this otherwise tragic moment a favourite, isn't only the passion shown by one of England's most talented players, but the reaction of Gary Lineker, captured so perfectly by the TV cameras.

A brief word and a gesture to the bench that displayed wisdom, heartfelt compassion and, ultimately, an understanding of the nature of Gascoigne, that most mercurial genius.

Tuesday 8 June 2010

A different story

A wall chart is proudly displayed, blank at the moment of course, as if waiting in anxious anticipation of those crucial full time results. Results to be inked into designated boxes with either a euphoric flourish or a despairing scrawl.

Miniature flags multiply across the door tops of cars, flag poles flexing while St George's cross defiantly ripples in the 30mph breeze. A simple gesture but one that, this year more than any other year, symbolises a stoic duty more than expectant jingoism.

Plans are made for mass congregation. In homes, gardens, public houses, public spaces, work places. TVs fitted, jumbo screens installed and re-wired, barbecues polished and fridges filled.

Thoughts turn to glories past, of a spirit recaptured, the tears of a clown prince and the redemption of a thunder thighed madman. Not least, the scarlet, so seared into our kaleidoscope culture as if to cut right to the fragile heart of our identity, a lead weight borne of great expectations, the greatest challenge to conquer come the inevitable shoot-out. Death or glory.

Let's hope for a different story, justifying the anthems that rattle the rafters back home, and when the inevitable end does come, resist temptation to seek excuse, laying blame only at our own feet. For a glorious failure can still be cherished. Savour the taste of defeat.

Saturday 5 June 2010

'Radio' Silence (Reprise)

So, June has arrived and I'm pleased to say I'm now plugged back into the aural world - for the entirety of May I ceased listening to podcasts and hardly listened to any music too, my iPod lying pretty much dormant in my bag throughout.

As the songs of the Beatles, Manics, Clash, Smiths et al have always been a soundtrack to my day, being without those familiar companions has obviously been somewhat odd. I must confess, however, it's also been something of a blissful release.

It's afforded me the chance to enjoy a perfect companion piece to Chelsea's Double winning triumph, provided an excellent 'director's commentary' on my viewing of the exceptional 'The Day Today', given insight into the twisted genius of the man behind the song 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and, perhaps most bizarrely, has seen me reading a superhero comic book whilst sat between pinstripe suited bankers on my daily commute! (Honestly, I think the comic could be the true nugget of all the books I've read this month. Incredible!)

I must confess I didn't manage to get through every title I had planned to but I'm more determined than ever to make ample time for those that remain.

More than anything, I do feel I've rediscovered the joy of a good page turner.

Books finished in the month of May

It's Only A Movie - Mark Kermode
The Hell of it All - Charlie Brooker
Kings of the King's Road: The Great Chelsea Team of the 60s and 70s - Clive Batty
Touching From a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division - Deborah Curtis
Disgusting Bliss: The Brass Eye of Chris Morris - Lucian Randall
Watchmen - Dave Gibbons and Alan Moore

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Because fact into doubt won't go

'The Day Today' is an exceptional little comedy series, highly underrated and filled with scathing, razor sharp, intellectual comment on news broadcasting and the media as a whole. It's also bloody funny!

This is not just personal opinion but can be backed up by evidence from the front line. During a DVD showing round my gaff, those friends viewing at the time (and previously unaware of the show) guffawed and sniggered as if they were watching a particularly amusing auditionee on 'Britain's Got Talent'.

I suspect the wide scale popularity of 'The Day Today' may have suffered from the scandal surrounding 'Brass Eye', broadcast some years later, but I'd urge you to seek it out wherever you can. Chris Morris, the anchorman and co-creator here, is an enigma and an innovator. I can't wait to see his new film 'Four Lions'.