Written on Sunday, July 11th, 2021, at 5:00 PM
In just a few hours, England will face Italy in the final of the Euro 2020 Championships. If you’re reading this from the future, you should know that the world had been through a rough patch since late 2019, making tonight feel even more surreal. Naturally, I hope England win—not just for the glory, but for every long-suffering fan who still dares to believe. As for me, my belief hasn’t exactly disappeared, but it has definitely faded over the last six or seven years.
Disillusionment with the Modern Game
The turning point? Likely the fourth renewal of the Sky TV/FA contract. The money involved by that stage was obscene. When someone like Nigel Reo-Coker commands an £8.5 million transfer fee, you know something’s broken. Billionaire owners have turned clubs into high-stakes fantasy football games. Chelsea, Manchester City, and others have benefited from it, but the soul of the game has taken a hit. I was so disenchanted that I stopped supporting Ipswich Town altogether.
From Portman Road to Promotion
My football journey started at Portman Road at the age of four—a draw against Wolves. My attendance was sporadic until I began earning my own money. My first full season? 1986—87. Relegation. Maybe it was a curse. I followed Town through the second division, became more regular with time, and then saw them promoted as the Premier League dawned. Ironically, this coincided with a difficult personal period, and I missed more games than I would have liked. There were still special moments, though. I remember the promotion win against Oxford. And watching Spurs at home during their first Premiership season, persuading a pub in a rough Edinburgh district to put the game on—that took some nerve.
Later came the Cinram crew—Dave, Scott, Alan, Gill, Sue. We followed Town together and even got season tickets post-promotion. Hard to believe that was 20 years ago. Not a lot of silverware since, but plenty of memories.
England: Hope, Heartbreak, and a Faded Flame
The national team, too, has left its marks. 1982: unbeaten but eliminated. 1986: Lineker’s hat-trick joy, followed by the infamous Maradona nightmare. 1990: the highs and then the heartbreak of penalties. I’ve been there through it all. I even dyed my hair blonde long before Foden made it cool. I was obsessed. And then, just like that… the magic went.
A Lockdown Reconnection
During lockdown, I tried reconnecting with football. Not easy when your teams are Ipswich and Hearts. The quality hasn’t been great. Still, with some encouragement from Adz and Giggsy, I gave it a go. Maybe this season, I’ll finally make it back to Portman Road.
As for England, I’ve watched most of their Euro 2020 campaign, bar the Germany game (thanks, holiday). It’s a talented group. Humble lads off the pitch. They’ve had some luck, but that’s football—especially with VAR. Tonight, I’ll be watching from my living room, hoping, like so many others.
So, if you’re watching too, take it in. Soak it up. Enjoy every second. These nights don’t come around often.
