Wednesday 16th May, 1:00pm, Wembley, The FA announce the 23 man England squad for this summer’s European Championships. The feeling that these 23 will get from making this squad and being given the chance to help their nation on the path to glory must be phenomenal, probably only winning the tournament itself could feel better.
It was a weekend in which scenes of unbridled joy erupted as great silver trophies, reflecting the fruits of punishing seasons, were raised high amid floods of ticker-tape, fireworks and, in some cases, tears.
Here's the scene, the ball comes out to you from a throw-in, you're over on the left hand side of the pitch, not too many yards out from the edge of your opponents penalty area. This particular penalty area is that of Chelsea whom you are playing on their own turf, somewhere your club hasn't won since the days of standing terraces and a pint of beer cost a penny (probably), you are leading one nil and have an eon of injury time still to play......
With all of the hoopla surrounding the appointment of Roy Hodgson it’s easy to forget that we have another manager diligently preparing for a summer of international football. Stuart Pearce is currently planning Great Britain’s route to success in the football at this summer’s Olympics.
Once upon a time, football was considered to represent a form of escapism. When the working man, wearied following a week’s toil, could take himself along to a game of a Saturday afternoon, and allow himself some well-earned time-out from what could be described as the harsh realities of life.