Come On England

Roam and Shenny have joined me up north and we went to watch the big game together at Millennium Square in Leeds. The weather was again hot and sunny. The atmosphere was amazing. The football was beautiful. The result was most excellent.

For once, our nerves weren't shredded by last-gasp goals and penalties. It was all a very calm and assured performance. Once they'd settled their own nerves, England played like the good team they've become. Not yet great, but good enough to deserve to be where they are right now. In a semi-final of the World Cup. It's still hard to believe those words. Greatness awaits. Why do I care so much? Perhaps because I want my boys to have this story to tell their own kids in the future. They will likely never have a better chance.

I could have posted one of many shots of the celebration of our two goals but this picture tells the best story of the day for me. Nationalism has its darker side, of course, but to see our multicultural society all coming together in support of the English football team has been a joy to witness. Like nothing else, sport has the capacity to transcend tribal divisions. That is something to be celebrated, whatever the final result.