Book description
***FOREWORD BY FABIO CAPELLO***
Since their first appearance in the competition in 1950, England's
World Cup story has been one of broken dreams, bad luck, shock losses
and penalty nightmares, with one shining exception in 1966, when they
famously won the Cup after beating Germany 4-2.
In Three Lions Versus the World, Mark Pougatch talks to those
who have shaped England's World Cup odyssey, from Brazil 1950 when
England lost to the amateurs of America, through the triumph of 1966
and the subsequent failure to retain the Cup in 1970, to the
spirit-sapping quarter-final defeats in Japan 2002 and Germany 2006.
Household names such as Sir Tom Finney, Don Howe, Martin Peters,
Trevor Brooking, Gary Lineker, Tony Adams, Glenn Hoddle and Danny
Mills share their personal recollections of playing for England both
on and off the pitch in the World Cup. Some reveal how they were
affected by the demands placed upon them and by the mounting pressure
of expectation from the English public. Others comment candidly on the
myriad controversies to befall the England squad over the years.
Massive highs are recounted and crushing lows painfully recollected.
The contributors are united in the pride they shared in wearing the
Three Lions shirt for their country in this most special of
tournaments.
The players' stories and anecdotes woven around the narrative of the
World Cup itself, this is an unbeatable, entertaining and enlightening
journey through half a century of English World Cup action that no
football fan can afford to miss.
Mark Pougatch is a well-known broadcaster and journalist who has
presented BBC Radio 5 Live's flagship programme,
5 Live Sport
, since 2000. He has also presented
Match of the Day
and
Football Focus
on BBC Television and has worked on all the major sporting events,
including the World Cup, the European Championship, the Olympics,
Wimbledon, the Ashes, the Ryder Cup and the Grand National.
