England in Russia: A humble team made in the lower leagues
If ever there was a lesson to a young footballer about what team to sign for, this England team is it.
For the XI of Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Henderson, Young; Lingard, Alli; Sterling, Kane; read Alfreton; Northampton, Barnsley, Wigan; Barnsley, Coventry, Watford; Birmingham, MK Dons; Liverpool, Leyton Orient.
Notice the omission of big clubs there, Liverpool the exception – and even Sterling came through the youth ranks at QPR without making a senior appearance.
It’s not about where you are towards the start of your career, it’s where you are when you are starting to hit your prime.
Don’t make your move too early, or – if you are at a big club – get out on loan, play some matches. Don’t be disheartened if you are released, get into a lower league or even a non-league club and use that rejection as fuel. Sporting immortality may just be the horizon if you do.
And perhaps it is the ‘rags to riches’ tales of these players that are connecting with an English public tired of the failures of the ‘Golden Generation’.
Gareth Southgate has allowed them to open up and tell their stories. The players have responded by telling these stories in a way that does not grate.
It would be easy to come across as overpaid prima donnas, whining about the problems of a rich man’s life.
But these lads are humble, grateful for the support and determined to go all the way. Not because of the riches it will bring, but the priceless joy and happiness created for them and their fans.
They are not just playing well, they are getting into people’s homes, into people’s lives.
It has gone well beyond your die-hard football fans at this point – sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, grannys and granddads are all invested, some for the first time.
We’ve all seen the beer showers that have accompanied every England goal this World Cup, but the 20 million or so watching at home are just as passionate.
Watching the second half in my garden on Saturday, it was incredible to hear the roar that went up from around the estate as Dele Alli headed home England’s second.
For that moment, every living room in the country was united as a dormant love for our national sport came roaring back.
Football’s coming home? Are we sure it ever left?
