God Bless America, Real World Cup Heroes

(Picture Credit - USA team in their 2014 kit by Streetweardeals dot com)

USA lost to Belgium in the last 16 of The World Cup after Extra Time. Failure? No way. You were heroes who put your bodies on the line and could have won.

USA were truly great heroes in The World Cup. I speak specifically of your magnificent attempt to take the talented Belgium to penalties in your last 16 match. After 110 minutes you were going flat-out trying to force an equaliser. I doubt whether the England team is fit enough to do that.

Even before this match you had helped knock the highly fancied Portugal (Ronaldo and company!) and dangerous Ghana out in the group stage. Even a 95^th minute equaliser by Portugal did not faze you. Germany were held to 1-0 to put you through.

You always grafted hard, with spirit and athleticism (and pace). But against Belgium you excelled. Your keeper Tim Howard was immense. So was his team of defenders. They put their bodies on the line for the cause. It was very exciting stuff. With Clint Dempsey prowling around up front you could always snatch a win.

To be fair, many of the World Cup “minnows” were heroes too: Chile, Algeria, Australia, Iran… Few star players but superbly organised, industrious and pacy. They all showed touches of class too. Chile were the bog-standard South American side: silky-skilful and sophisticated: only losing to Brazil by one penalty in that shoot-out.

So the only “Davids” remaining against the “Goliaths” are Costa Rica who face Holland in the quarter finals. However, this World Cup has been the FA Cup and English Premiership combined, in Brazil. Not surprising that when you consider 110 Premiership-associated players were named in the various World Cup squads.

Last night Howard (USA) fended off Lukaku and Mirallas (Belgium) – all Everton players (Lukaku on loan from Chelsea)! But as I say, many players were “schooled” in the English Premiership.

Imagine THIS English Premiership side at The World Cup: Hart; Azpilicueta, D Luiz, Kompany, Evra; Silva, Hazard, Y Toure; Dzeko, Aguero, Oscar. (I’ve dropped Saurez – an attack can have TOO much bite lol). Only one Englishman here, but who cares?

Good football is good football, whichever country you come from.

Paul Butters

I Arranged Work Experience for a Footballer

Yes I once arranged a work experience placement for a lad who went on to be a pro footballer (soccer player). Do read on. Research credit – Dave Wagstaff).
 

(Research credit – Dave Wagstaff). On reflection I have many happy memories of my 24 year career as a Careers Adviser. To be honest I often found “industrial visits” something of a chore, especially the “work experience” variety. Checking insurance and health and safety issues: yawn. But with hindsight many visits were quite interesting.

One day in around 1994 our Work Experience bloke said, “This lad at Lindsey School (Cleethorpes) starts on Work Experience soon at Grimsby Town (football club). We must get their insurance details today or he will not be able to go. You must see their manager straight away.”

“But their Manager (Alan Buckley) has just left…!”

“They’ll have a Caretaker, see him.”

A few hours later, as I recall, I found myself sitting before the well known John Cockerill. He was Caretaker after being Assistant Manager for only a few years. His playing career had ended sadly with a broken leg in 1991.

Right now Town play in The Conference, but back then they played in the second tier of English football, the First Division as was.

No doubt the last thing John wanted that day after about three days in the hot seat was a visit from the local Careers Service. He looked at me quizzically then asked, “Who’s the lad?”

I glanced at my sheet and replied, “Matthew Bloomer from Lindsey School.”

His face changed in obvious recognition of that name. It was clear that this was a lad they were most interested in.

“What do we need to do?”

“In this case. It feels silly saying this in a football league club, but I just need to check your insurance certificate.”

John turned to an assistant and soon that certificate appeared. We agreed other arrangements which I will not bore anyone with. Health and Safety was of course covered but this became much stricter in later years.

In due course of time, Matthew Bloomer played for Town’s first team. He would have no idea of my visit. In fact Matthew had three spells at Town and played for other local clubs. I’m glad I helped get him started.

Regarding such memories, I also recall my ex-colleague Greg Johnson asking me to do an industrial visit for him: to see former Billiards World Champion Ray Edmonds at his “Snooker Centre”. Ray was most helpful, giving me some “placements” to take back to the Careers Centre (or “Office”).

My former colleague Dave Wagstaff helped me research the football story. He tells me legendary snooker professional Mike Hallett (twice World Championship Quarter Finalist) gave him a massive snooker lesson at a hall near our office. Dave’s one red from three visits to the table was not enough lol. I note they were not playing for money however…

 

Paul Butters