The fine young men who will represent England at the 2014 football World Cup were photographed standing, ready to depart, on the aircraft steps. There is an air of excitement and expectation draining from the photograph. They are wearing suits and are
all smartly groomed.

At home England is preparing for the celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of D Day on the 6th June. Then our young men were smartly dressed and sent off to fight and for many to die. The young men who claimed that victory that day made possible the luxury of our society happily besotted with nothing more troubling than the vagaries of a football competition.

22 years after the Normandy beaches were awash with the blood of allied servicemen England cavorted to victory over a team from Germany in the football World Cup of 1966. Bobby Moore held aloft the Jules Rimet trophy and the names of the 11 English men who played were inscribed on the nations hearts – Banks, Cohen, Wilson, Charlton,J. Moore, Ball, Stiles, Charlton.R, Peters, Hurst, Hunt.

It was a tremendous game and Sir Alf Ramsey had delivered his incredible promise, “England will win the World Cup” and Wembley under a summer sky burnt those images into the memories of English football supporters, of an England at peace and prospering.
Its a moment more glorious for its unique occasion. Nothing since has been comparable.

Brasil are five times world champions, Germany have won it three times – and Italy. English football followers recognise and respect the special skills and vision of Brasil and allow them a magical hold on the top table of the most popular game in the world. But this is England, an England whose time must come, a team with players good enough and brave enough to give it a go.

Now they are in Miami and everyone is counting the days. Now it is time to remember a bit, and time to know – “England will win the World Cup”