We football aficionados just adore a slice of misty-eyed nostalgia occasionally. How wonderful it is to watch footage of – or simply think back to – a bygone era from time to time, when pitches were like mud baths, and the players were proper hard men, sporting jerseys with sewn-on badges and socks rolled down round their ankles.
It’s long been thought that Football is ahead of the curve when it comes to tackling racism. Whilst this is an idea that has been fuelled by those within the game, on the surface there does appear to be some truth in it.
Following what can reasonably be termed a successful campaign and yet another major tournament qualification, we can suggest that recent times have been England’s most successful spell. At least as far as reaching major finals goes (Euro 96 hosts, France 98, Belgium and Holland 2000, Japan and Korea 2002, Portugal 2004, Germany 2006, Switzerland 2008-ahem!, South Africa 2010). What then can we glean from this last campaign that could point to a performance at Euro 2012?
Anyone could be forgiven for thinking that Scottish football starts and stops with Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers. The Old Firm certainly dominate the hearts and minds of the beautiful game’s fraternity north of the border, and for all it can be intriguing from time to time, sometimes it’s downright tedious .
Former Welsh international footballer John Hartson made a scheduled appearance at the Edinburgh Book festival recently...