lombardiaturismo.com

Boys of ‘66 see sign of danger; Greavsie

0 Comments | People (London, England), The, Dec 6, 2009

Byline: Dave Kidd

WHEN the World Cup draw was announced on Friday, I was in Wolverhampton to compere a show for the boys of ‘66.

I spent the evening performing like Dermot, off of the X Factor, only none of my nine panelists – all the surviving members of the World Cup final starting line-up – had had any wax treatments or hair extensions, and they were all a good deal uglier than the experts on the telly.

Except Nobby Stiles, he’s still got a gorgeous smile.

There was a lot of excitement from the Midlands folk who were a little over-optimistic by how kind the draw had been to England. And a lot more caution from those who lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy 43 years ago.

Although those old boys would lose their unique mantle if England win the World Cup in South Africa next summer, I know they would all love to see Fabio Capello’s team triumph.

They all see a genuine similarity between Capello and Alf Ramsey. Both men command respect, rather than merely demand it. Both see the virtue of strict rules, a spartan existence and not taking your wives to war with you.

Perhaps the best point was made by big Jack Charlton who insisted that, if England do not win the World Cup this time, they are unlikely to do so in the foreseeable future.

Eight years ago, we could see Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Frank Lampard emerging a mile off, but that was before foreign talent dominated the Premier League.

I can’t see anyone of that calibre coming through now
keratin hair