If you need to ask, then yes, it's finished, don't up it.

[HD]

England 1066

The courageous leaders mutually prepared for battle, each according to his national custom. The English, as we have heard, passed the night without sleep, in drinking and singing, and in the morning proceeded without delay against the enemy. All on foot, armed with battle-axes, and covering themselves in front by the juncture of their shields, they formed an impenetrable body which would assuredly have secured their safety that day had not the Normans, by a feigned flight, induced them to open their ranks, which till that time, according to their custom, had been closely compacted. King Harold himself, on foot, stood with his brothers near the standard in order that, so long as all shared equal danger, none could think of retreating. This same standard William sent, after his victory, to the pope; it was sumptuously embroidered with gold and precious stones, and represented the figure of a man fighting.

On the other hand, the Normans passed the whole night in confessing their sins, and received the communion of the Lord's body in the morning. Their infantry, with bows and arrows, formed the vanguard, while their cavalry, divided into wings, was placed in the rear. The duke, with serene countenance, declaring aloud that God would favor his as being the righteous side, called for his arms; and when, through the haste of his attendants, he had put on his hauberk the hind part before, he corrected the mistake with a laugh, saying "The power of my dukedom shall be turned into a kingdom." Then starting the Song of Roland, in order that the warlike example of that hero might stimulate the soldiers, and calling on God for assistance, the battle commenced on both sides, and was fought with great ardor, neither side giving ground during the greater part of the day.

Observing this, William gave a signal to his troops, that, feigning flight, they should withdraw from the field. By means of this device the solid phalanx of the English opened for the purpose of cutting down the fleeing enemy and thus brought upon itself swift destruction; for the Normans, facing about, attacked them, thus disordered, and compelled them to fly. In this manner, deceived by a stratagem, they met an honorable death in avenging their enemy; nor indeed were they at all without their own revenge, for, by frequently making a stand, they slaughtered their pursuers in heaps. Getting possession of an eminence, they drove back the Normans, who in the heat of pursuit were struggling up the slope, into the valley beneath, where, by hurling their javelins and rolling down stones on them as they stood below, the English easily destroyed them to a man. Besides, by a short passage with which they were acquainted, they avoided a deep ditch and trod underfoot such a multitude of their enemies in that place that the heaps of bodies made the hollow level with the plain. This alternating victory, first of one side and then of the other, continued so long as Harold lived to check the retreat; but when he fell, his brain pierced by an arrow, the flight of the English ceased not until night.

In the battle both leaders distinguished themselves by their bravery. Harold, not content with the functions of a general and with exhorting others, eagerly assumed himself the duties of a common soldier. He was constantly striking down the enemy at close quarters, so that no one could approach him with impunity, for straightway both horse and rider would be felled by a single blow. So it was at long range, as I have said, that the enemy's deadly arrow brought him to his death. One of the Norman soldiers gashed his thigh with a sword, as he lay prostrate; for which shameful and cowardly action he was branded with ignominy by William and expelled from the army.

William, too, was equally ready to encourage his soldiers by his voice and by his presence, and to be the first to rush forward to attack the thickest of the foe. He was everywhere fierce and furious; he lost three choice horses, which were that day killed under him. The dauntless spirit and vigor of the intrepid general, however, still held out. Though often called back by the kind remonstrance of his bodyguard, he still persisted until approaching night crowned him with complete victory. And no doubt the hand of God so protected him that the enemy should draw no blood from his person, though they aimed so many javelins at him.

William of Malmesbury

[HD]

England 1066

The courageous leaders mutually prepared for battle, each according to his national custom. The English, as we have heard, passed the night without sleep, in drinking and singing, and in the morning proceeded without delay against the enemy. All on foot, armed with battle-axes, and covering themselves in front by the juncture of their shields, they formed an impenetrable body which would assuredly have secured their safety that day had not the Normans, by a feigned flight, induced them to open their ranks, which till that time, according to their custom, had been closely compacted. King Harold himself, on foot, stood with his brothers near the standard in order that, so long as all shared equal danger, none could think of retreating. This same standard William sent, after his victory, to the pope; it was sumptuously embroidered with gold and precious stones, and represented the figure of a man fighting.

On the other hand, the Normans passed the whole night in confessing their sins, and received the communion of the Lord's body in the morning. Their infantry, with bows and arrows, formed the vanguard, while their cavalry, divided into wings, was placed in the rear. The duke, with serene countenance, declaring aloud that God would favor his as being the righteous side, called for his arms; and when, through the haste of his attendants, he had put on his hauberk the hind part before, he corrected the mistake with a laugh, saying "The power of my dukedom shall be turned into a kingdom." Then starting the Song of Roland, in order that the warlike example of that hero might stimulate the soldiers, and calling on God for assistance, the battle commenced on both sides, and was fought with great ardor, neither side giving ground during the greater part of the day.

Observing this, William gave a signal to his troops, that, feigning flight, they should withdraw from the field. By means of this device the solid phalanx of the English opened for the purpose of cutting down the fleeing enemy and thus brought upon itself swift destruction; for the Normans, facing about, attacked them, thus disordered, and compelled them to fly. In this manner, deceived by a stratagem, they met an honorable death in avenging their enemy; nor indeed were they at all without their own revenge, for, by frequently making a stand, they slaughtered their pursuers in heaps. Getting possession of an eminence, they drove back the Normans, who in the heat of pursuit were struggling up the slope, into the valley beneath, where, by hurling their javelins and rolling down stones on them as they stood below, the English easily destroyed them to a man. Besides, by a short passage with which they were acquainted, they avoided a deep ditch and trod underfoot such a multitude of their enemies in that place that the heaps of bodies made the hollow level with the plain. This alternating victory, first of one side and then of the other, continued so long as Harold lived to check the retreat; but when he fell, his brain pierced by an arrow, the flight of the English ceased not until night.

In the battle both leaders distinguished themselves by their bravery. Harold, not content with the functions of a general and with exhorting others, eagerly assumed himself the duties of a common soldier. He was constantly striking down the enemy at close quarters, so that no one could approach him with impunity, for straightway both horse and rider would be felled by a single blow. So it was at long range, as I have said, that the enemy's deadly arrow brought him to his death. One of the Norman soldiers gashed his thigh with a sword, as he lay prostrate; for which shameful and cowardly action he was branded with ignominy by William and expelled from the army.

William, too, was equally ready to encourage his soldiers by his voice and by his presence, and to be the first to rush forward to attack the thickest of the foe. He was everywhere fierce and furious; he lost three choice horses, which were that day killed under him. The dauntless spirit and vigor of the intrepid general, however, still held out. Though often called back by the kind remonstrance of his bodyguard, he still persisted until approaching night crowned him with complete victory. And no doubt the hand of God so protected him that the enemy should draw no blood from his person, though they aimed so many javelins at him.

William of Malmesbury

[HD]

Scotland 1314

And certis me think well that ye

Forout abasing aucht to be

Worthy and of gret vasselagis

For we haff thre gret avantagis

The fyrst is that we haf the rycht

And for the rycht ay God will fycht.

The tother is that thai cummyn ar

For lyppynyng off thar gret powar

To sek us in our awne land,

And has brocht her rycht till our hand

Ryches into sa gret quantit´e

That the pourest of you sall be

Bath rych and mychty tharwithall

Giff that we wyne, as weill may fall.

The thrid is that we for our lyvis

And for our childer and for our wyyis

And for our fredome and for our land

Ar strenyeit in bataill for to stand,

And thai for thar mycht anerly

And for thai let of us heychtly

And for thai wad distroy us all

Mais thaim to fycht, bot yeit may fall

That thai sall rew thar barganyng.

And certis I warne you off a thing

That happyn thaim, as God forbed,

Till fynd fantis intill our deid

That thai wyn us opynly

Thai sall off us haf na mercy,

And sen we knaw thar felone will

Me think it suld accord to skill

To set stoutnes agayne felony

And mak sa-gat a juperty.

Quharfor I you requer and pray

That with all your mycht that ye may

That ye pres you at the begynnyng

But cowardys or abaysing

To mete thaim at sall fyrst assemble

Sa stoutly that the henmaist trymble

And menys of your gret manheid

Your worschip and your douchti deid

And off the joy that we abid

Giff that us fall, as well may tid,

Hap to vencus this gret bataill.

In your handys without faile

Ye ber honour price and riches

Fredome welsh and blythnes

Giff you contene you manlely,

And the contrar all halily

Sall fall giff ye lat cowardys

And wykytnes your hertis suppris.

Ye mycht have lyvyt into threldome,

Bot for ye yarnyt till have fredome

Ye ar assemblyt her with me,

Tharfor is nedfull that ye be

Worthy and wycht but abaysing

And I warne you weill off a thing,

That mar myscheff may fall us nane

Than in thar handys to be tane,

For thai suld sla us, I wate weill

Rycht as thai did my brothyr Nele.

Bot quhen I mene off your stoutnes

And off the mony gret prowes

That ye haff doyne sa worthely

I traist and trowis sekyrly

To haff plane victour in this fycht,

For thoucht our fayis haf mekill mycht

Thai have the wrang, and succudry

And covatys of senyoury

Amovys thaim foroutyn mor.

Na us thar dreid thaim bot befor

For strenth off this place as ye se

Sall let us enveronyt to be.

And I pray you als specially

Bath mar and les commonaly

That nane of you for gredynes

Haff ey to tak of thar riches

Ne presonaris for to ta

Quhill ye se thaim contraryit sa

That the feld anerly youris be,

And than at your liking may ye

Tak all the riches that thar is.

Giff ye will wyrk apon this wis

Ye sall haff victour sekyrly.

...

And fra Schyr Aymer with the king

Was fled wes nane that durst abid

Bot fled scalyt on ilka sid,

And thar fayis thaim pressyt fast.

Thai war to say suth sua agast

And fled sa fast rycht effrayitly

That off thaim a full gret party

Fled to the water of Forth and thar

The mast part off thaim drownyt war,

And Bannokburne betwix the brays

Off men and hors sua stekyt wais

That apon drownyt hors and men

Men mycht pas dry out-our it then.

And laddis swanys and rangaill

Quhen thai saw vencussyt the bataill

Ran amang thaim and sua gan sla

As folk that na defens mycht ma

That war pitte for to se.

Ik herd never quhar in na contre

Folk at sa gret myscheiff war stad,

On ane sid thai thar fayis bad

That slew thaim doun foroutyn mercy,

And thai had on the tother party

Bannokburne that sua cumbyrsum was

For slyk and depnes for to pas

That thar mycht nane out-our it rid,

Thaim worthit maugre tharis abid

Sua that sum slayne sum drownyt war,

Mycht nane eschap that ever come thar

The-quhether mony gat away

That ellisquhair fled as I sall say.

The Brus

[HD]

America, 1776

The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies

In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

The signers of the Declaration represented the new states as follows:

New Hampshire

Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts

John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island

Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut

Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York

William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey

Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania

Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware

Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland

Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia

George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina

William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina

Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia

Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

US Declaration of Independence

[HD]

England, 1967

Picture the scene. It's a Saturday afternoon in April 1967 and 100,000 are packed into Wembley Stadium for the biennial England-Scotland football match.

An estimated 50,000 Scots are hoping to witness the first defeat of the reigning world champions since their triumph nine months earlier when Jim Baxter turns to Denis Law and asks: 'Right, Denis what's it to be? Do we give them a doing or do we take the ****?'

Law, recalling Scotland's 9-3 defeat six years earlier, replies without hesitation:' I want to give them a doing.'

'Sorry,' says Jim. 'Wee Billy (Bremner) and I have decided that we're going to take the **** so you're out-voted, two to one.'

Some will no doubt scoff at the idea that such an apparently absurd conversation could possibly have taken place on the Wembley pitch.

Others fortunate enough to have been present when Slim Jim orchestrated the 3-2 humiliation of the world champions will no doubt claim to have heard the conversation.

What is not in doubt is that on that afternoon nearly 34 years ago Jim Baxter assured himself of a place in Scottish football folklore. No Scotland player before or since has toyed with the opposition in such a derisory manner bordering on the cruel.

No football match encapsulated Jim Baxter's character and personality more vividly. The swagger, the bravado, the mischief, the fun, the pure pleasure of performing in the manner of a world- class entertainer blessed with a God-given talent.

Jim was at home on the big stage and the bigger the venue the more outrageous he became. But never more so than when he faced England in their own backyard.

'I always enjoyed taking the **** out of England,' he says. 'But that day was special. I'll bet Alan Ball remembers it, too. Ballie had a squeaky voice but by the time I was finished with him he was shrieking with rage and frustration.

'His voice kept rising another couple of octaves to the point that nobody could even make out what he was trying to say. At one point I told him he sounded just like Jimmy Clitheroe.

'Between us, Billy Bremner, Tommy Gemmell and I passed the ball about and had Ballie dashing back and forward trying desperately to break up our game and getting angrier and angrier with every pass we played.

'God, it was wonderful. How many guys can say that they've played keepie-up in the middle of Wembley during an England-Scotland match?'

Law recalls how he gave Jim a verbal rocket for playing keepie-up when he felt Scotland should have been turning the screw. But he adds: 'Jim didn't take a blind bit of notice. But I have forgiven him. How could I do otherwise after such an exceptional performance?'

World Champions

[HD]

If history shows one think it's that the English are losers. Always have been, always will be. Be it on the football field, or just as a general rule, they always come out second best.

Sven finally realised this in the summer of 2004 and, days before the World Cup qualifying campaign for 2006 was due to start, he walked out on the FA and out on England before he too became indelibly stained by inevitable failure.

That was when they turned to me. I had no real record to speak of. In fact I'd only recently given up a promising medical career to focus on my dream of making it as a football coach. That the FA would appoint a Scot at all was puzzling, that it was me, well, you can imagine the reaction from the plebs.

Of course I was dedicated to excellence - I could hardly harpoon my own career just to take some minimal pleasure from continued English failure, particularly when that trend was bound to continue of its own accord. I had to pick a team to win games and I would. That I was sure of.

[HD]

My managerial reign began with a two game roadtrip to Austria and Poland. These were two of the sides who, along with Wales, I expected to end the group closest to us. Not that there was any risk of our failing to qualify, not with the talent gap between the nations.

There was some controversy in my selection for the Viennese contest, at least for the English media. A centre-back pairing of Matthew Upson and Liam Ridgewell, with Sol Campbell and John Terry injured and Rio Ferdinand finishing off a global ban, was not viewed as being of international calibre, whilst emplyoing Ledley King in a holding midfield role was charitable deigned "madness" by one writer.

Steven Gerrard on the left of a midfield diamond drew the most attention. Some felt it was ludicrous to expect a player of his talents to adjust to such an unfamiliar role, I felt he'd do just fine. Chris Sutton and James Beattie started up front in the absence of Michael Owen.

In the end it was generally a success. Gerrard was withdrawn for Celtic's Alan Thompson at half time, prompting a tidal wave of "i-told-yo-so"s, but I was satisfied that the Liverpool man could be a fixture in that role for the duration of the campaign.

Chris Sutton's early goal seemed to settle the side down and we passed the ball about for most of the game, letting out hosts run themselves into the ground. Shola Ameobi and Shaun Wright-Phillips replaced Beattie and David Beckham with about twenty minutes to go and the Newcastle striker scored with a late penalty to seal the win.

The Polish game was a far more even affair, which ultimately ended goalless. The result was disappointing, but for me there was a small triumph in the man of the match display from Steven Gerrard on the left hand side of midfield. There had been only one change to the lineup, Jermaine Jenas coming in for the injured Beckham on the left, but it was the performance of Gerrard and some inspired goalkeeping from David James that saw us take a point from what could have been a treacherous fixture. Matthew Upson and Ledley King were also terrific, whilst Shola Ameobi, John Terry and Shaun Wright-Phillips came off the bench and didn't miss a beat. The one major disappointment was a poor first half for Liam Ridgewell, replaced at the interval by Terry, but the stall had been set out, England would go to the World Cup with Steven Gerrard on the left. At least that was how I felt if you'd asked me at the time.

[HD]

Facing Wales at Villa Park before heading to Azerbaijan in our next pair of fixtures was far from ideal for October games. The season was only a couple of months old, players were still looking for form and injuries kept a few top names out of the reckoning.

Rio Ferdinand's return to partner Upson in defence was a boost and we were otherwise unchanged, with Jenas continuing in place of Beckham. The game was pretty mundane in the event, with Beattie scoring early and Ameobi coming off the bench to seal the three points. Frank Lampard edged the man of the match award, but it was what could be called a solid performance agaist a solid Welsh side. Nothing to write home about.

Azerbaijan faced an XI which again noted just one change, with Ameobi starting for Sutton. It was as one-sided an encounter as you will see in international football. Ameobi's third goal in four games got us off and running in the fourth minute and Frank Lampard made it two before Matthew Upson's header sealed the points before the break. Two more Lampard strikes and a Beattie goal towards the end made it a convincing 6-0 scoreline, which was a fair reflection on an easy match.

International friendlies are a complete waste of time. The visit of Bulgaria to White Hart Lane saw an experimental line up play well, but Zdravkov in goal kept us at bay and despite Michael Owen marking his first game for me with a goal, a late reply, the first conceded by England under my charge, meant the game ended 1-1. The team was unusual, Tony Hibbert started at right back, Owen Hargreaves in the holding midfield role, Wright-Phillips on the right, Osman behind the strikers and Ameobi up with Owen. Jermain Defoe, Kieron Dyer and Alan Smith made their first appearances for me from the bench in a laergly uninspiring game. But in the end, who cares about friendlies?

[Raptor]

You know Iain, I reckon this is the best start you've made to a story. And that's not to say the rest was sh*te.

Except for the Chocolate thingy. Though that was an ending.

[HD]

Thanks, though you realise the dated sections aren't my work.

[OMDave]

Superb introduction, great idea to compile the texts as you did

[HD]

2005 started as 2004 ended for England, with a 1-1 friendly draw at home, rounded off by the concession of a late equaliser. This time the opposition was Italy, the leveller was in injury time and our goal came from Alan Smith, but the plot, like in so many bestselling John Grisham novels, was instantly familiar.

It was another fiddled about lineup that took the field, Paul Robinson starting in goal, only Ferdinand missing from the usual back four, with Campbell starting in his place and Fulham's young sensation Zesh Rehman lining up in the holding role. The press had made specific mention of the youngster's inclusion before the game, without even a single under 21 cap to his name, but he performed admirably for the whole 90 minutes.

Beckham made the start on the right, but the midfield was completed by Portsmouth's in-form Gary O'Neil and Chelsea's Joe Cole. O'Neil though lasted just 23 minutes before sustaining a painful injury and Alan Smith replaced him. Beattie and Owen started up front, but Wayne Rooney was amongst the plethora of subs deployed in the second half. Gianluigi Buffon was the star performer and the leveller came deep into added time from Antonio Cassano.

March saw the World Cup qualifiers resume with a home double against Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan. The first game, at Southampton's St. Mary's ground, was a nervy affair in which all three subs were used before Ledley King fired home from 18 yards to give us a 74th minute lead. Michael Owen's late goal snuffed out any comeback hopes.

This match marked the first time Owen and Wayne Rooney had started up front for me and both did well, until Shola Ameobi replaced the Manchester United player. There were disappointing performances from Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, but Joe Cole was an improvement when he replaced the latter and it would not be an exaggeration to say that Shaun Wright-Phillips' performance in place of Lampard was the spark that allowed us to take all three points. Noteworthy selections elsewhere were the first start for Gareth Barry on the left of the back four and the pairing of Ferdinand and Campbell having a chance in the middle.

There was controversy after the match as I sought to call up Kieron Dyer as an injury replacement before the Wednesday game, but he decided this was demeaning for a player of his tature and refused. He would not play for me again unless an apology was forthcoming.

Hillsborough was the venue for the Azerbaijan fixture where the fit again Upson and the inspirational Wright-Phillips replaced Sol Campbell and Frank Lampard, Lampard having withdrawn from the squad through injury between the matches.

Three first half goals, all from the right boot of Wright-Phillips, secured the victory, the third a penalty kick. I instructed David Beckham to hand the ball to Wright-Phillips and, to his credit, he was only too happy to do so. Rooney was withdrawn at the break for Ameobi and the Newcastle man scored twice in the first ten minutes of the second half.

At that stage I withdrew Wright-Phillips, who received a standing ovation, and Ledley King, introducing Joe Cole and Zesh Rehman. The subs played well, but it was Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard who added further goals to cap a fine team performance and a 7-0 victory. Austria's 3-0 win over Wales on the same night allowed us some breathing room atop the group and we now knew qualification was within our grasp. My coaching team, including Gordon Strachan and former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, were of one mind - England would be playing at the next World Cup.

[HD]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by OMDave:

Superb introduction, great idea to compile the texts as you did </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Cheers. I had a helluva time trying to find any kind of a report on the 1967 game, surprisingly.

[HD]

After Azerbaijan we had more than five months to plan for another two game roadtrip, this time less demanding as we travelled to Cardiff and Belfast knowing that six points would probably qualify us, if not mathematically then certainly all but.

David James retired from international football after the 2004-05 season, despite starting every competitive game under my charge, but we wished him well and moved on. Paul Robinson took over between the sticks at the Millennium Stadium and I opted to protect him with Ashley Cole at right back, Gareth Barry on the left and a central pairing of Campbell and Ferdinand as we adapted to Upson's injury and Neville's suspension. Ledley King continued in the holding role where he has excelled and I opted to select the in-form Shaun Wright-Phillips over fit-again Frank Lampard behind the strikers. Beckham, Gerrard, Ameobi and Owen completed the lineup.

It was one of those matches I can only describe as 'sticky'. Rio Ferdinand was the outstanding performer and his first half goal got us off on the right foot. It wasn't, though, until Wright-Phillips added a second ten minutes into the second period that we could relax. Michael Owen added a third with twenty minutes to go as we eased away, at which point I brought on Defoe for Ameobi and Lampard for the excellent Wright-Phillips. Rehman replaced King late on, and it is perhaps worth noting that nobody queries his selection any more. On a similar note, Steven Gerrard is now the consensus pick for the left of midfield in any media-projected XIs.

There was a distinct lack of intensity as we faced Northern Ireland, which was disappointing. Our first choice back line was restored, but Beckham and Gerrard were hurt, so an improvised midfield featured King holding, Lampard pushing on, Wright-Phillips producing a man of the match display on the right and Joe Cole labouring on the left. Ameobi continued up front with Michael Owen, but it was the former Liverpool man who opened the scoring midway through the first half. Frank Lampard doubled the lead just before the interval, but in the second half Warren Feeney netted what would prove to be the only goal England would concede in qualifying.

Zesh Rehman, Alan Smith and the debuting Jerome Thomas of Charlton were introduced late on, but a glance at the table when the final whistle sounded put all else to one side. England had won the group with two games to spare.

[Brian of Nazareth]

as expected then Interesting changes to the side as well, can't really see Sven going for it mind Top stuff.

[HD]

Matthew Upson's first half goal sufficed as Austria were defeated 1-0 at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland despite a red card for David Beckham with fifteen minutes left in the game.

Shaun Wright-Phillips and Frank Lampard both started as Steven Gerrard was left on the bench. Despite qualification having been secured I chose what I felt was my strongest team, with all of my best defenders playing and Wayne Rooney partnering Michael Owen in attack. Gerrard and Shola Ameobi were introduced before Beckham's dismissal in plave of Lampard and Rooney, whilst Owen was withdrawn for the eager Alan Smith immediately following the dismissal. Austria defended well, but created little and deserved no more than they got.

The final qualifyer saw Poland face an experimental lineup at Hillsborough. Chris Kirkland made his first appearance for me in goals, with Jamie Carragher and Wayne Bridge featuring in the full back positions. Matthew Upson and Rio Ferdinand continued in the middle, but Sean Davis replaced Ledley King, Jermaine Jenas stood in for the suspended Beckham and Jerome Thomas got his chance on the left. Rooney and Jermain Defoe began the game in attack.

It was Thomas who was most impressive amongst my side and Lampard least effective. Jerzy Dudek in goal and Radoslaw Kaluzny in defence for Poland were, though, clearly the class acts on the day. Zesh Rehman replaced Davis with twenty minutes to go, with Gareth Barry simultaneously coming on for Thomas. Meanwhile there was a debut for Newcastle's latest signing, Supat Rungratsamee, in place of Jermain Defoe, as I cheekily robbed the Thai national side of his talents.

So, despite failing to defeat, or score against, Poland even once, we comfortably topped the group with twenty six points, the Poles needing a playoff against Greece to qualify, having ended on eighteen to Northern Ireland's impressive sixteen. The Welsh on fifteen and Austrians on twelve were disappointing, whilst Azerbaijan failed to earn a point and scored just twice, in 2-1 defeats to Austria and Poland, during their campain.

[HD]

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts

1st Q England 10 8 2 0 25 1 +24 26

2nd Q Poland 10 5 3 2 17 9 +8 18

3rd N.Ireland 10 5 1 4 16 12 +4 16

4th Wales 10 5 0 5 20 18 +2 15

5th Austria 10 4 0 6 9 14 -5 12

6th Azerbaijan 10 0 0 10 2 35 -33 0

</pre>

[HD]

Following a very public apology and a suitable period of reflection Kieron Dyer was back and started at Upton Park as Scotland visited on friendly duty. I hadn't won a friendly and to be honest wasn't convinced I wanted to either. In Mourinho and Strachan I had two other staff members more inclined to back our opponents than our own side, but it was a friendly, only a friendly, so I felt justified in experimentation.

Russell Hoult debuted between the sticks, protected by a back four of Owen Hargreaves, John Terry, Jamie Carragher and Gareth Barry. Zesh Rehman filled the holding role with Dyer on the right and Stewart Downing debuting on the left. Wayne Rooney completed the midfield diamond, with James Beattie returning up front and Alan Smith completing the lineup.

In reality we dominated, but David Marshall was inspired and Scotland defended in depth. Chris Sutton, Wayne Bridge, Jamie Redknapp and Gary Neville were introduced at half time, with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jerome Thomas coming in later, but no goals were forthcoming and after injury sidelined Kieron Dyer, reducing us to ten men, we were lucky to survive as Shaun Maloney managed Scotland's only shot on target, running clear and shooting. The ball went straight through Hoult, but Neville was covering and the danger was cleared. Honours even, probably a moral victory for the Scots and my staff and I were perfectly satisfied. A re-match was pencilled in for 2007.

[HD]

Due to an administrative error in place of the Netherlands we lined up opposite the Netherlands Antilles for a February friendly. The press were all over us for the error, but in an effort to placate them, or more accurately because I wanted to, our strongest available XI, in my view, took the field.

Paul Robinson continued in goals with my favoured defensive players, Gary Neville, Ashley Cole, Matthew Upson and Rio Ferdinand in place. Zesh Rehman replaced the injured Ledley King, but David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were all able to start, as were Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen. Shaun Wright-Phillips, Glen Johnson, Leon Osman, Shola Ameobi and Stewart Downing were introduced at the interval, by which time we led 4-0 thanks to a Rooney double and goals from Owen and Lampard. Osman, the Premiership's in-form player, missed a penalty after the break and in the end we had only a Wright-Phillips goal with twenty minutes left to show for our second half efforts.

With the domestic season reaching it's climax I received an intriguing offer from Reading, a side clinging to it's Championship life by a thread. They would pay me a significant sum to come in and keep them up. There were no competitive England games before the season's end and if Reading were to be relegated then I could walk away with no hard feelings.

This was not an offer I could reject out of hand, so I consulted with my management team of Mourinho, Strachan and my new coaches, Graeme Souness, until a week previously manager of Newcastle, and German legend Gerd Muller. The guys were very supportive and promised to help out by taking on most of my international duties during my time with the Championship side. Their support secured the decision was simple, I would have a go at saving Reading from the drop.

The media, of course, were aghast - surely Is hould be preparing for our March friendly with Brazil and our World Cup Group Stage opposition, Costa Rica, Iceland and the Ivory Coast. Despite my assurances to the contrary they felt I would be stretched too thin. I knew they were wrong.

[HD]

Reading (Primo)

Alright, I confess, I did indulge in an element of hyperbole there. The club is not "clinging to it's Championship life by a thread". In fact it's pretty safe, a good 10 points clear of the drop zone. There is no chance that Reading are relegated, but nonetheless my contract with the club expires at the end of the season. My intention is to stay here a little longer. Club management and international management can co-exist in a single coach. I have such a solid team of coaches and assistants with England that I feel perfectly comfortable with leading a double-life.

So, yes, not dire straits, but I have never seen a team in this condition. There are a handful of really, really good players - Jason Brown in goal, Nickey Shorey at left back, Bobby Convey on the left of midfield, Dave Kitson up front, even Steve Sidwell are all million-pound guys, then there are some solid veterans like Ivar Ingimarsson, Doriva, Marcus Stewart and Les Ferdinand. But after that there is almost nothing. No depth whatsoever. Not only that, but no youth.

So I see my task as one of regeneration coupled with on-field success. We can't make a playoff run this year, but next year it has to be our aim. Dave Kitson is on the transfer list at his own request, but I intend to keep him at the club. Before my first game I shelled out £65,000 for Nottingham Forest midfielder Eugen Bopp. At just 22 the midfielder, who has both German and Ukrainian nationality, will hopefully bring a spark to the team.

The first match saw Crewe visit the Madejski Stadium and walk away disappointed as we got off to a near-perfect start. Dave Kitson converted a penalty awarded ninety seconds into the match, before completing a great hat-trick to open up a 3-0 lead. Two late goals for Crewe made the scoreline respectable, but the fans were on-side already. This had the potential to be a most entertaining chapter of my career.

[HD]

Reading (Secundo)

Rohan Ricketts and Joseph-Desire Job arrived on loan as we prepared to travel to struggling Millwall. The latter started for Ferdinand in attack and with Storey hurt it was journeyman Wayne Quinn who got the nod at left back. We were otherwise unchanged from the side that faced Crewe and optimistic of a similar result.

There were chances at either end early on and both Job and Kitson missed opportunities before the home side scored on the stroke of half time. There was still a chance for Job to blaze wildly over with only the keeper to beat, but blaze he did and we went in one adrift.

Ricketts replaced Andy Hughes for the second period, but there was only a wasteful Job effort to show until the Cameroonian was withdrawn for Marcus Stewart on the hour. Millwall looked more comfortable as the game went on and could have added to their lead, but in the end their failure to do so was punished seven seconds into injury time as Ricketts levelled from an acute angle. The point was perhaps not earned, but they all count. Another point to note was the decision of the referee, Phil Prosser, to award six yellow cards to Reading players and just two to those in blue. We were most unhappy at his performance, and the live TV audience must surely have agreed.

Despite the effect of the substitutes I opted for an identical starting XI when Stoke visited the Madejski. A dreadfully unexciting game came to life with twenty five minutes to go as the visitors' Ryan Hutchinson was dismissed. Again I threw Ricketts into the fray and again he popped up with a vital injury time goal, handing us all three points and solidifying his position as supersub.

[HD]

Just training in the Maracaná the night before the game was incredible. Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand were the only absentees, so Sol Campbell slotted in at the back with Frank Lampard playing left and Wright-Phillips supporting the strikers.

We were a little off the pace in a scoreless first half, and badly exposed after the break as a dodgy penalty and clinical second from Luis Fabiano condemned us to my first defeat as England manager, 21 months into the job.

On the whole, however, it had been an educational and inspiring trip. The World Cup was in Europe and we might not have to play Brazil anyway. At least we could hope not.

Some technical rules meant this would be our last game for three months until the tournament proper, and so I arranged for a series of training camps in the lead up to the tournament. For now though, my thoughts returned to the club arena, and to Reading.

[Spav]

HD, it seems like you're handing out caps willy-nilly. I suppose it is based on form at club level.

I'll be interested to see your squad for the World Cup Finals. KUTGW

[HD]

Thanks. I wouldn't say willy-nilly. Initially I based my original squad selection on form and availability. Thereafter I tried to work with a nucleus of about 15-20 players, with alternates coming in only due to injuries and suspension. I've also tried to blood some youngsters who will be looking to break through in the upcoming years. The only cap I'd say wasn't 'earned' was Rungratsamee, which was just me indulging myself a little. I doubt he'll feature for the full side unless he becomes a Premiership starter.

[HD]

Of course the other unusual one is Rehman. He was selected initially when he won Young Player of the Month two or three months in a row just coming up to a squad being named, coupled with injuries in that position (I think either Hargreaves or King was unavailable) and did well enough to stay in contention.

[Peacemaker7]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by HD:

Thanks, though you realise the dated sections aren't my work. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes but even so, the way you've presented that is excellent, looks like being an award winner

[bartley_m]

Interesting take on the England job, i've seen many an international attempt fall by the wayside, but this one seems to be well on track (accompanied by an excellent club sideshow).

KUTGW

[HD]

Reading (Tertio)

After disappointing defeats to Sunderland (3-0) and Southampton (1-0) my side bounced back with back to back to back wins over Norwich, Rotherham and Nottingham Forest, before rounding off the season by drawing 0-0 with West Ham and beating Preston 2-0 on their own ground.

The Norwich game was perhaps the most noteworthy as it is easily identifiable as a key turning point. Defeat in that fixture could well have seen us struggle over the finish line, but despite having Doriva sent off after only 24 minutes and losing David Lilley to injury in the first half we battled well and were rewarded with an injury time winner from Dave Kitson.

Seemingly spurred on by that the boys romped to a 3-0 win at Millmoor. Joseph Job dropped behind the strikers and was rewarded for his willingness with the opening goal, his first for the club. Rohan Ricketts added a second before half time and evergreen forward Marcus Stewart made it three after the break.

Our City Ground encounter with Forest was more of a battle than a football match. The home side were already down to ten men and had used all three subs when keeper Ian Deakin was sent off in conceding a 70th minute penalty. Left back Alan Rogers took over in goal, but couldn't repel Marcus Stewart's effort. Nevertheless Forest came roaring back with 9 men and levelled through Rogers himself as he unusually ventured forwards for a 72nd minute corner, perhaps forgetting he was the goalie. Joseph Job was then dismissed with 13 minutes to go, but as time expired Rohan Ricketts broke away and squeezed in a shot that struck the post and trundled to a halt on the goalline! The quickest reactions belonged to legendary forward Les Ferdinand, and he claimed the winner, the fourth vital injury time goal the club ha scored since I took over.

The West Ham encounter was a typical end of season encounter as the sides tallied six shots between them, at least half off target, and neither keeper had much to do to earn his clean sheet bonus. Preston could perhaps have been expected to show more fight in the season's final fixture, but Darren Campbell's first goal under me and a Doriva penalty had the points wrapped up by midway through the first half.

The good closing run saw us finish ninth, a comfortable 21 points above relegated Cardiff in 22nd and just eight behind Derby, the last playoff qualifier. We had faced four of the sides above us in my time at the club, losing to second placed Sunderland and seventh side Southampton, drawing at West Ham who ended fifth and beating Forest who also qualified for the playoffs in fourth. It had been a satisfactory run, but for now the question of whether I'd be back was put to one side and all attention turned to the World Cup in Germany, which the press had decided was England's to throw away...

[HD]

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts

1st C Crystal Palace 46 25 9 12 72 52 +20 84

2nd P Sunderland 46 21 17 8 69 45 +24 80

3rd P Leicester 46 21 16 9 62 45 +17 79

4th Nottm Forest 46 20 16 10 65 51 +14 76

5th West Ham 46 21 12 13 57 37 +20 75

6th Derby 46 22 9 15 62 50 +12 75

7th Southampton 46 20 12 14 69 56 +13 72

8th Bristol C 46 20 10 16 65 69 -4 70

9th Reading 46 18 13 15 59 50 +9 67

10th Ipswich 46 18 12 16 54 50 +4 66

11th Gillingham 46 17 15 14 63 61 +2 66

12th Leeds 46 18 11 17 60 48 +12 65

13th Norwich 46 18 9 19 61 52 +9 63

14th Plymouth 46 15 18 13 63 63 0 63

15th Coventry 46 15 15 16 52 50 +2 60

16th Crewe 46 16 9 21 60 65 -5 57

17th Oldham 46 14 14 18 46 54 -8 56

18th Stoke 46 15 9 22 49 66 -17 54

19th Peterborough 46 14 10 22 44 61 -17 52

20th Preston 46 14 7 25 50 65 -15 49

21st Millwall 46 12 12 22 46 63 -17 48

22nd R Cardiff 46 10 16 20 46 65 -19 46

23rd R Brighton 46 11 11 24 42 75 -33 44

24th R Rotherham 46 11 10 25 48 71 -23 43

</pre>

[HD]

Note to Self: Italics and Code don't mix.

[iwanttoread]

Good to see sunderland promoted!

Love the story

You seem to have a lot of good players at Reading im guessing getting them on frees? Just a quick question what time do clubs usually release players on frees?

[HD]

Announcing the World Cup squad involved a lot more rigmarole than I'd expected. Initially I had to personally call about 30 players either to inform them they were in or, and this was the difficult part, that they were on standby or out altogether. I'd have obviously preferred to do this in person, but I simply couldn't travel to each end of the country and beyond in the time available.

There were few shocks in store, though one player, Everton's Richard Wright, did earn his first call up since I took the job, on account of his fine form the past season in the Premiership. He was pencilled in as third choice behind incumbant Paul Robinson and the talented Chris Kirkland.

Defensively the biggest surprise was that I hadn't found space for Sol Campbell. The big Arsenal man is a popular figure, but with Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Matthew Upson included and the option of switching wither Jamie Carragher or Gary Neville over, there simply was no place for him. Wayne Bridge and Ashley Cole were the chosen left backs.

Ledley King was the only defensive midfielder selected, though I would like to think Beckham or Gerrard could deputise in an emergency. Jermaine Jenas, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stewart Downing, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard provided attacking options and a comfortable balance between right and left sided players.

Five strikers made the cut for Germany, one fewer than most pundits had predicted. Wayne Rooney, Shola Ameobi, James Beattie, Jermain Defoe and Michael Owen made the party, but the likes of Alan Smith and Chris Sutton were not included. In fact it was only at the last minute that I opted for Beattie over Sol Campbell, and that purely down to his nineteen Premiership goals this year.

It was a squad I felt warranted our billing as joint sixth favourites with the Dutch. Brazil were the consensus favourites to successfully defend their crown, rivals Argentina and Europe's best side Italy being the primary threats. France can never be discounted and playing at home Germany will be a real danger, but other than those sides nobody has a better opportunity than England. Perhaps this will be the year that failure is consigned to the dustbin of history. Don't bet on it though.

[HD]

iwanttoread, thanks. I only took over at Reading late in the season so most of the players were there already. I brought in Job and Ricketts on loan and bought Bopp, that was all. Th club paid Gillingham £1.2m for Jason Brown early in the current season, picked up Doriva on a free from Boro and got Marcus Stewart on a free from Sunderland. I'd have to check any others that interested you.

I usually find the best way to get frees is to do a search in January for players who are coming out of contract and try to set up Bosman deals, rather than waiting for them to be released.

[iwanttoread]

Thanks for the help and good luck in the world cup my best is the final losing to 2 injury time goals to france (anelka price was 30 mil dont know how) and hope u are playing sunderland next season in the premiership!

[HD]

Remarkably there were no withdrawals and no nagging injuries as we prepared to open our campaign against Iceland in Düsseldorf. Robinson, Neville, Cole, Upson, Ferdinand, King, Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney and Owen started together for the first time and the nation held its breath. Well, mostly. A few idiots got drunk and tried to fight some locals in the streets, but the less said about them the better.

It took only four minutes and fourteen seconds for Michael Owen to put England ahead. An Icelandic attack broke down and Wayne Rooney took possession at halfway. One sweet fifty yard pass later Owen was waltzing past Arason in the Iceland goal to put us in fron. Twelve minutes and twelve seconds in a shot from the edge of the box by Gerrard made it two and Owen wrapped up the win with a predatory strike in the twenty eighth minute.

With the game won I threw Wright-Phillips and Beattie on for Lampard and the impressive Rooney, with express instructions to play it cool and nobody to get hurt or booked. The Premiership's highest English goalscorer did somehow contrive to pass up a pair of golden chances, but we were in complete control and I took the opportunity to give Stewart Downing a taste of the action in place of the outstanding Gerrard for fifteen minutes or so.

A late yellow for Neville was the only disappointment of a thrilling afternoon for English football. With Côte d'Ivoire beating Costa Rica it meant progress would be sealed after just two games if we won and Iceland didn't. The chance for a 'rest' game was most appealing, particularly given the demands on the players over a long domestic and continental season of competitive football.

[HD]

With the Ivory Coast keeping up their end of the bargain with a 3-1 win over Iceland an unchanged England looked to put Costa Rica away in Munich and seal progress to the last 16. It was a game set up for an England win and England were set to deliver.

Wayne Rooney got in on the goals early on with a fourth minute opener before Frank Lampard's long range howitzer effectively ended the match as a contest after just twenty minutes. Shots pinged in at Martinez in the Costa Rica goal for the remainder of the half, but no further goals resulted.

Keen to keep up the good spirits in the camp I introduced Shola Ameobi and Joe Cole at the break for their first taste of World Cup action. Ledley King and David Beckham were booked before the over-eager referee dismissed Costa Rican defender Gilberto Martinez with twenty minutes to play.

Keen to preserve our players' availability I brought on Wright-Phillips for Beckham, but not before Matthew Upson nodded home a third goal. Lampard and Ameobi were also booked by the fussy official, but the game was won and qualification secured. A draw in the final game would see my boys top the group as expected.

[HD]

With Italy failing to register a win and failing to qualify from their group the list of potential winners was reduced by one. With Jenas and Rooney hurt and Beckham, Lampard, Neville, King and Ameobi a yellow away from a ban my squad was reduced by seven as I opted not to even risk naming any of them on the bench for emergencies.

Jamie Caragher took on responsibility for the right back role, Gerrard shifted to the holding role with Wright-Phillips, Cole and Downing filling the midfield. Jermain Defoe got the nod over Beattie to start alongside Michael Owen. Only five substitutes were named, two of them goalkeepers.

The sequence of early goals continued, but in this insance it was our opponents who netted when Didier Drogba squeezed home a shot from a tight angle in the eighth minute. We took control from then on until the break, but with Joe Cole playing very badly we offered no goal threat. Wayne Bridge replaced his Chelsea teammate at the interval, but though we didn't look like losing a second we continued to create little.

Beattie for Defoe could have saved the game had the Everton man not been carried off three minutes after coming on. As a result John Terry would play the last ten minutes up front and it was his tenacity that set up Michael Owen to net in the 88th minute. A neat pass from Downing led to Owen's second two minutes into injury time and the game was somehow won.

The second round pairings would see us meet Uruguay and the path to the final was laid out. The winners would face Spain or Chile, with Argentina likely waiting in the semis. This is why we love the game.

[HD]

Spain dealt with Chile comfortably enough on the Monday, so on Tuesday in Stuttgart my strongest XI squared off against a Uruguay side fancied by some as a dark horse.

For half an hour or more it was the South American side who controlled the play, creating a number of shooting chances, but failing to beat Robinson, or even hit the target on most occasions. I sent on Wright-Phillips for Lampard at the break in an attempt to kick-start my team.

Disaster struck after just ninety seconds of the second half though as Michael Owen went down clutching his leg after a heavy challenge from Montero. Our biggest goal threat had to be replaced and it was Shola Ameobi who stepped into the firing line.

We got our break in the 54th minute as Carini completely missed a Gerrard cross allowing David Beckham to slide in at the back post and open the scoring. Barely two minutes later though we passed up a glorious chance as Ameobi, from four yards out with the keeper nowhere, cannoned a shot off the bar.

Uruguay weren't ready to give up, but we knuckled down, dug in and fought for everything. Rooney hit the bar from a far more forgivable position and we finally sealed our progress when Jermain Defoe scored an injury time penalty.

Spain awaited us, with the winners of Argentina v USA to follow. The other major plus was the lack of any further yellow cards for our men on the brink of a suspension.

[HD]

It took penalties, seven of them, four scored, for Argentina to finally see off the United States in their quarter final, but as Spain and England lined up in Dortmund all thoughts were on the match in prospect.

A broken wrist had put paid to Michael Owen's tournament and it was Jermain Defoe who started in the Quarter Final. Only two minutes in Spain scored a sickening opener as Raul Tamudo was allowed to walk into the box and beat Robinson at his near post. Defoe though was to prove a hero, at least momentarily, as he levelled shortly before the interval, only for a Capdevila free kick special to send Spain in ahead.

I brought on Wright-Phillips and Ameobi for Lampard and a clearly tiring Rooney midway through the second half, but there was to be no revival. Spain controlled the remaining time and our run was over. Attention now turned to the upcoming European Championships and a qualifying group featuring Belgium, Serbia & Montenegro, Wales, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Who won? Does it matter? If you must know France beat Spain on penalties for third place and the final saw ten-man Argentina wrest the title from rivals Brazil 3-0 on penalties after a goalless encounter despite having Coloccini sent off in the 40th minute. Happy?

[Tyrone the Magazine]

Good stuff HD

[HD]

I left Reading by mutual consent on the first of September 2006, just days before the post-World Cup England kickabouts got underway with a game against Palestine at Wembley. I had sufficiently boosted the Reading squad and proven I was a capable club coach, and so now my focus and attention was turne squarely to helping England to success at Euro 2008.

Six goals in each half, from Defoe (4), Beckham, Owen, Lampard and half time subs Joe Cole (2) and James Beattie (3) made it a rough ride for the Palestinians, who had Abu Baker Balkhair sent off after just 33 minutes. John Terry's injury time penalty miss spared us a thirteen goal curse. The only controversy was my decision to demote Rio Ferdinand, Shola Ameobi, Wayne Rooney and Shaun Wright-Phillips off the bench. Their clubs insisted they play only 45 minutes. They likely would have, but such demands lead me to say, "up yours". None featured.

Next up was our first Euro Qualifier, at the Millennium Stadium against a Welsh squad ageing in key positions and struggling to find young players talented enough to pick up the strain.

Rio Ferdinand returned to an essentially full strength side, with Robinson in goals, Gary Neville, Matthew Upson and Ashley Cole completing the back four, Ledley King, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in midfield and a strike pairing of Owen and Defoe, the four goal star keeping his place ahead of the huffy Rooney.

The early opportunities were coming England's way as the Welsh defence struggled and the only surprise was that it took twenty minutes for us to break through, Defoe slotting home from inside the box. A nice finish from Michael Owen within five minutes essentially ended the match as a contest and focus turned to how old and slow Ryan Giggs looked on Wales' left wing.

Jermain Defoe added another just before half time, but passed up a glorious chance to complete his hattrick early in the second period when caught from behind as he ran in on goal and tackled by Fletcher. There was to be no further scoring, but the final whistle brought the curtain down on one of the most accomplished performances of my tenure, not a man playing worse than brilliant and a few quite superbly. With Armenia and Serbia & Montenegro picking up wins over Azerbaijan and Belgium respectively by the odd goal in three in each case it looked very much as if we could go on to dominate the group. We certainly hoped so.

[HD]

A second Kieron Dyer snub ahead of the Armenia clash signalled the absolute end of his England career under my leadership. Once can be forgiven, twice cannot. Everton are welcome to him. Sean Davis took advantage of the opportunity to come in and made the starting XI for the game. Losing Steven Gerrard was a blow, but one that would be felt more in the second game, against Belgium, than in the first.

Sol Campbell and Jonathan Woodgate received late call-ups as John Terry and Rio Ferdinand struggled with injury. Alan Smith took the total of call-offs to five on top of the two who were unfit for initial selection. Not ideal preparation, but Armenia ought to have posed little threat.

The guys who made it onto the pitch, including a sore Matthew Upson, loked to assert themselves early on, but a solid rearguard action from the Armenians proved frustrating for fifteen minutes until Michael Owen pounced on a spill by the keeper to put England ahead, though the official scorer marked it as an own goal. Sean Davis opened his account for his country on the half hour, but picked up a booking in an up-and-down first half.

Rooney and Wright-Phillips were introduced at the break for Defoe and Lampard, and the benefit was immediate as Michael Owen roudned off a move to get the goal he was denied earlier. The Real Madrid striker then added his second with twenty minutes to play, but the final whistle came, leaving him to rue the hat-trick stolen from him.

Wayne Rooney returned to an otherwise unchanged lineup in Brussels as we looked to drill home out position as the group's class act. Sadly we were unable to keep a clean sheet, Thomas Buffel firing past Paul Robinson after just ten minutes, but the sleeves were rolled up and Rooney went close almost immediately. Stewart Downing was a constant menace on the left, but the Belgians held on till half time, giving us plenty to mull over during the interval. A triple change saw Shaun Wright-Phillips, Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe replace Lampard, Sol Campbell and Rooney, and the wily Wright-Phillips drew a stunning save from the Belgian keeper early on. With 64 minutes on the clock came the break through. A deep Downing cross looked set to drift out of play harmlessly before a lung-bursting run saw the in-form David Beckham arrive almost at the by-line. How he forced the ball home I may never know, but he did. An injury to Defoe left us to play the last fifteen minutes with ten men, so a draw was gleefully accepted. Not the steamroller we intended to be, but the walking wounded did us proud.

[Peacemaker7]

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