England’s UEFA European Championships history is a tale of unfulfilled promises and occasional abject failure. From the inability to qualify for the two tournaments in the miserable 1970s to the limp efforts either side of FIFA World Cup Italia ’90, England have largely failed to get to grips with the Euros, notable exceptions in 1996 and 2004 notwithstanding.
The near euphoria of parts of UEFA Euro ’96 was barely repeated at FIFA World Cup 1998 in France, where England finished second in Group G because of a defeat by Romania, and went on to lose on penalties in an infamous second round game against Argentina in St Etienne. Glenn Hoddle departed in ignominious circumstances and was replaced in time for UEFA Euro 2000 by Kevin Keegan, who went on to quit after a defeat by Germany in the last international game at rhe old Wembley Stadium.
There are football supporters, England supporters, who are old enough to accurately judge Alan Shearer – the latest in the England Greats series – by the quality of his punditry but young enough to not remember just how good a player he was. Sure, they’ve seen a few highlights and might be able to recall his last couple of seasons, but the extent to which he was arguably the last of his kind will be lost on more than a few Match of the Day viewers.
Supporting the England national football team from a fresh perspective.
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