Not This Time

On this day 32 years ago I had just arrived home from Spain after witnessing my England team being cruelly knocked out of the tournament the night before.  It was the first time I had suffered the experience of being dumped out of a world cup, I wouldn't mind but we never lost a game and only conceded 1 goal.  The way the tournament worked in 1982 was absolute bollocks.  The winners and runners up of the 6 groups went in to 4 more groups of 3 where the winners of each group would reach the semi finals.  England's second round group consisted of Germany and Spain.  England drew with Germany in the first game and then Germany beat Spain, so it meant that we had to beat Spain to go through.

The England squad for this world cup was probably, no definitely the best squad Ron Greenwood could have picked.  The only problem was that in this squad were two injured players who had been taken to Spain, in the hope they would regain fitness as the tournament went along.  Those 2 men were Trevor Brooking and former 2 times European player of the year Kevin "mighty mouse" Keegan.  In qualifying Brooking had scored 2 goals against Hungary one of which was the iconic goal that got stuck in the gap between post and crossbar (not stanchion) and in the final qualifier against Hungary again, it was Brooking's shot that was heading for the corner flag that hit an on rushing Paul Mariner's shin, who then  fell over as the ball trundled over the line to confirm England's participation in the world cup for the first time since 1970.  As for Keegan he was not only England's star man and captain, he was England's Roy Race.

Due to their injuries Brooking and Keegan had not been used in any of the three group games nor where they used in the first of the second group game, but running up to the make or break game with Spain rumours were rife that either one or both of England's star men were going to have a part to play.

  Me and my mates Hula Hoop, Tag Nut and Penfold waited with anticipation along with all the other England fans as the starting 11 were announced and to our despair neither Brooking and Keegan were in it.  The game was deadlocked at nil nil when with about 15 minutes remaining all eyes were attracted to the touchline and England's dug out, and there could be seen the unmistakable figures of Brooking and Keegan stripped and ready for action.  My mate Hula Hoop started going into one and shouting at the Spanish supporters about the fact that Trevor was gonna kill em'.  I was not aware of what was going on as I had just noticed that Tag Nut was wearing my hat and I think my mate Penfold was having trouble seeing anything as he had a problem with his eye.

From L to R  Hula Hoop, Me, Penfold and Tag Nut wearing my hat.

So on come  the players we had all been waiting for and the stage was set for one of these boys to get us through to the semi final.  Within a few minutes of coming on Brooking picked up the ball I think it was on the right and put in a typical Sir Trev cross which was pinpointed on to his mate Keegan's head, Keegan rose to meet the cross with his tight bubbly permed covered bonce.  The crowd stood silently as the ball seemed to travel in slow motion toward the Spain goal and went wide.  A massive cry of  OH NOOOOOOO  rings around the stadium from the England fans, and there on the pitch holding his head totally crestfallen was the man who would have been king, Kevin Keegan.

I would've loved it if I had scored that goal.

That was the real first disappointment I ever had as an England supporter, unfortunately it would not be the last.  Maybe one day we will be able to celebrate again like we did in 66, but after this years shower of shit I can't see it happening anytime soon.