Before we crack on, though, let's get real. There have been some grim downsides to the Euros 2020 tournament, most recent of which has been waking up to news of racist abuse directed at players on social media. But cast your mind back to the start. Last month, Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen, suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch of Denmark's opening game. Few that were watching will forget the scenes, and it was with great relief that he recovered. As did the momentum of the tournament, that would have presumably been disbanded or played against the will of many had the outcome been different. But sadly there was more negativity to come in the shape of some 'fans'. The seemingly English trait of booing the opposing team's national anthem was particularly embarrassing. It was possibly only a small contingent but it sounded awful. As if the worst people in the country had managed to get a ticket and decided to show themselves up on the national stage. Grow up, FFS. The same goes for whoever shone the laser pen in Kasper Schmeichel's eyes before he saved Harry Kane's initial penalty kick. Get a grip and stop making us all look bad. And then there were the rampagers in Leicester Square and outside Wembley yesterday. You behaved like twats. It was horrible to see, on an evening that should have been full of support and enjoyment. Elsewhere, there's been the usual overblown nonsense filling the front pages over the past few weeks. What, you like talented young players now? I remember when you criticised them for having the audacity to be videoed in a nice house. I can't keep up.
But let's move on. We must. Because the upsides really outshine the negativity by a gazillion. A bajillion. Want to feel good about the future of civilisation? Pull up a chair and read on.
Gareth Southgate is committed to bringing in new talent and giving space for players to grow and develop. Saka is nineteen. Sancho and Foden are twenty-one. The average age of this squad is only twenty-four. The good news about that can be seen in Jordan Pickford. He was a great goalie for England in 2018 but he always looked like he was up for a scrap. Fast-forward three years and look at him now. An amazing player, who didn't concede a goal until the semi-final stage of the tournament, saved two penalties in the final, and had a much calmer head on the pitch. He grew up and got better, supported by an ethos that prioritised that. How brilliant to be given the time and space to improve, knowing your place is secure while you do. The other good thing about this young team is that I don't fancy any of them. I know! You see, I'm not fifteen anymore. Rather than get distracted by how cute and sexy they appear in interviews, I feel proud like a Nanna, and am assured that the generations coming after me and my peers are doing good things with their lives. I have no doubt these young men are imperfect at times. But as a team - as a group of lads given a platform - they rise to the occasion more often than not. It's so reassuring as I knit in my rocking chair and sip my Horlicks. Or something.
Gesture Politics
Priti Patel does not support gesture politics. Apparently. Luckily she seemed to get over that before England's semi-final win where her Twitter account showed her cheering madly whilst wearing a team shirt. Perhaps she only supports gestures where she gets to wear stuff. Like a personalised police jacket as she is photographed at an arrest. Not sure. But even without her hypocrisy, she's wrong. A gesture to show support for a cause is powerful. I assume that's why she wore the police jacket to the arrest. She wanted to make a clear statement. I much prefer the statements of the England team. Kane's rainbow armband for Pride. The non-negotiable taking of the knee to show solidarity with Black Lives Matter. And just as with the Home Secretary's policies, we can see what happens when gestures grow. While she's busy with her new plan for immigration, the England team are busy with kinder politics. Marcus Rashford MBE campaigns against child hunger. Raheem Sterling MBE works to improve racial equality in sport. Jordan Henderson MBE is supportive of LGBTQIA+ rights and recently replied to a fan who described relief at their positive experience at Wembley. Representing your country, whether in Government or a national team, is a privilege. Some people use their platform better than others.
The Gaffer
Look, what can I write about Gareth Southgate that hasn't been covered elsewhere. Not much really. His calm intellect, and the fact he's done the job consistently well since he was appointed, all add up to a very likeable public figure. He's got balls of steel for being able to tune out and ignore the fans and journalists over starting lineups and formations. He also brought on and then subbed boy-wonder Jack Grealish in the semi-final - for all the right reasons - and secured the win. And equally wonderfully, Grealish seemed fine with it. Teamwork makes the dream work... there's no I in team... and all that jazz. For Southgate to keep a calm head that can think under that level of pressure, is impressive. It comes down to what I've known for years. Anyone with a good grasp of psychology is already winning at life. If you can recognise behaviour patterns, spot triggers, and pre-empt your own instincts when they try and work against you, you've got the most powerful tool in the world. And not only for yourself, but to manage that professional journey in others is quite the skill. The excellent sportspeople that Southgate leads, aren't there by accident. He created them. Spotting a big talent is only the start. Nurturing it, managing it, and enabling it to flourish alongside the big talents of others is something that has eluded previous Men's managers for years. This feels new. Or at least it did when Southgate came along. Now it's simply the way it is, and it's lovely to see.
It's Only a Game
OK, let's be clear. There's so many more important things than football right now. I could list some of them but it would only bring me down. So just imagine them for me, yeah? Go through the world's problems one by one. And while you work yourself into a decline, remember that even in peaceful, happy times, football's only a game. It's only one of several games that people play. The fact England's Men got further in a tournament than they have for fifty-five years still doesn't end wars or stop people starving. Agreed? Have we got our perspective in check? Good. Let's get to the matter in hand. Football. Last night the England Men's team played in the final of the European Championships. Take a moment. Read it again. It's historic. In my forty-three years on the planet, I've never experienced such a thing. And even though it's just a game, and even though the world still burns, and even though there are so many more important things to worry about, the past week has taken me away from all of that. Back to the summer of 1990. It was boiling. The patio doors were open nightly. Nessun Dorma blared out. Des Lynam's voice calmly narrated as I sat on the pink velour armchair in the lounge. The summer of my first kiss, my first period (different days) and my first tournament getting fully behind the team. And then the years of support that followed. The '96 Euros in the pub. The '98 World Cup at Uni. The 2002 World Cup while I was at work and the time difference meant there were early-morning matches. The following decade or so when I fell out of love with the team and its players. When egos dominated and I couldn't be arsed. Then the return of my patriotism with Southgate's lads in 2018. And now this. Over the past few days, I've flash-backed over it all. Watching the scenes on the pitch after the semi-final transported me to another time. To other times. To the people I've watched matches with and the places where I've watched them. To the jobs I've had, and the disappointments I've shared, as well as the euphoria I've felt at specific goals, and the pride I've experienced when we've won essential matches. It's more than a game when you look at it like that. It's a lifetime. I imagine for those around in 1966, it must be even sweeter
 |
| Congrats, Italy. Until the next time. |
So now we've got this far, what next? We have to go further. We have to win next time. We have to deal with the racist element of fans that show up the rest of us. We have to continue to encourage and support a manager and team that show politics is part of everything. That a public profile is a starting point for change and that inclusivity is the root of all success. It's been a pleasure to witness it this summer. And there's always a chance that other leaders, the ones that create division and stress - whether they be the in the office or the government - see what success looks like and take note. Harmony, teamwork, support, and inclusivity. We can but dream.
Have a lovely week, folks.
No comments:
Post a Comment