That's not the World Cup. It's a commemorative mug from Marks & Spencer - but if all else fails at least we can buy one of these (just don't tell Lord Triesman). So, today, in honour of the beautiful game, I'm outing myself. Yes, dear readers, That's Not My Age is a football fan and here I am at the 1994 tournament in the USA. But that's not the real World Cup I'm holding...
Every four years, national stress levels rise as we watch our injury-prone team struggle through the biggest football tournament in the world (apart from 1994, when we didn't even make it to the finals) and supporters collectively pray for victory or at least a ticket to the second round. But once upon a time, the England squad were World Cup winners and in their very clever Four Legends, One Label campaign, M&S reunite - Gordon Banks, Martin Peters, Sir Geoff Hurst and Roger Hunt - players from the 1966 team. The boys are modelling the Collezione range, which is made in Italy and aimed at customers over 45 years-old, and very dapper they look too.
That's Not My Age and photographer friend, Neil Mackenzie Matthews, literally stumbled upon the M&S press conference yesterday and couldn't believe our luck. One minute we were wandering through Covent Garden talking cameras, the next we were being jostled into a room full of sports journalists, football legends and young Jamie Redknapp - who'd been assigned the task of interviewing 'these top guys.'
Neil being a true pro, quickly took his camera out and snapped three lovely portrait shots:
And here are my five World Cup facts:
1. In 1966 we had a fantastic team. The best goalkeeper, Mr Gordon Banks, and a very good manager. In 2010 we have a very good manager, Fabio Capello, who is similar to Sir Alf Ramsey and, er David James (who Gordon Banks says will be playing in goal).
2. Geoff Hurst thinks Capello is right to keep the WAGS at arm's length. In 1966, footballer's wives were warned by Sir Alf to stay out of the player's hotel (Ramsey even prodded Mrs Hurst in the chest to warn her off). Capello is a strict disciplinarian and won't stand for any Baden-Baden-style shenanigans.
3. England are quite capable of getting to the semi-finals, where they'll be up against the big boys - Brazil, Spain, Argentina. Geoff Hurst wants Wayne Rooney to score just the two goals so that his own record (the only player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final) stays intact.
4. Times have changed. In a bout of DIY sponsorship, players painted the three Adidas stripes on their boots the night before the 1966 final, made their own way home after the match and cup-winning, newspaper coverage was kept to the back pages. Today, even John Terry has a sponsorship deal, players are chauffeured around in fancy limousines and we've all seen Ashley Cole's sex texts.
5. The 2010 World Cup team suits are lightweight and easy to wear. The Carnaby Street-inspired sixties version was so heavy, players over-heated and begged Sir Alf to let them 'go casual.' The iron manager, insisted they stay buttoned up.
And this is the official FA suit the 2010 team will be wearing. It's made in England, designed by Timothy Everest MBE (to Fabio Capello's specification!), is a very flattering shape and has a lovely red lining. Everest says he's delighted with the suit which fits the brief perfectly, 'We wanted something that was representative of modern British style whilst feeling elegant and comfortable.'
More World Cup merchandise, not designed by Timothy Everest MBE:
A magical, musical tour bus. Wonder what tune it'll be playing on the way home?
Toast the champions with this giant beer glass. Handy markers help keep binge drinking at bay:
Show your allegiance in this eye-catching, World Cup one-piece.
Will football be coming home this summer - can England win the World Cup? And if they do, will you be wearing the soccer-lover's swimsuit?
16 comments:
Oh really hope that they might bring the cup back to UK! We all get excited don't we every World Cup and then get our hopes dashed... If they won I would proudly wear that one piece on the beach in Oz on Christmas day - promise!! Great photos of the 1966 members of the team btw. x
Know nothing re world cup but we have a show in Aust where this WAG called Colleen someone who is married to a guy called Wayne tries to get short girls to be models. I swear I am not making this up. Col is quite sweet and says "youse" instead of "you" and she wears a lot of Milly and Tibi xxx
I am Scottish. I am, therefore, not qualified to talk about football in any shape or form :-)
Ali x
SE - I'm going to hold you to that! You'll have to post photos of the swimsuit if we win.
FF - oh Wayne is our best player and Coleen is our best WAG. They're like the scouse royal family. Coleen spends a lot of money in a shop called Cricket whilst Wayne sits at home nursing his groin strain.
AC - do you take the Andy Murray approach then?
The Andy Murray approach? Is that where you support anyone who's playing against England? :-)
Or is it where you abandon the big leather ball and 24 big men whack a small hairy tennis ball up and down a football pitch with raquets?
Y'know, that idea might have legs..... ;-)
I recognise Gordon Banks from the 1066 side.
I would not be able to identify a single chap in the Scotland team if we had one going to the World Cup.
Ali xxx
I too am Scottish and love Andy Murray but alas this is not going to be his year either I think.
I am jealous, jealous, jealous wish I had a national team to get excited about. The ABE approach is no fun in the long run.
Suits look nice though and the portraits are very distinguished.
So glad to find you! Love your site, the story and images!
Karena
Art by Karena
Fab photos, but I'm afraid I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than have anything to do with football! However, I do rather like the magical, musical tour bus...
AC - yep, that's right the AM approach is to support the other team. My friend's son showed me his football stickers album the other day and I hardly recognised any of the players. Must be getting old!
FFA - you can support England till they get knocked out. Or Spain might be a better bet. Is Andy Murray not going to be Wimbledon champion this year then?
Karena - pleasure to meet you and thanks!
Coz - it would make a nice present for someone...
OMG can't believe your luck. To think I was not but a few paces away and could have joined the merry band. Can't wait and we are going to Italy too to get behind Capello!
But of course you know my love of football you sat through my film x
I kinda love that one piece.
3 weeks to go!! June 12th at 8.30 pm England vs USA ...can't wait!!! When it comes to it I get so nervous I have to go out of the room, into the garden and just listen to the oohs and ahhhs coming from all around. Then I can rush back inside and see the good bits. Won't catch me in that costume by the way x
Oh, I love that swimsuit!
I must own up to being a world cup geek, I stay up all hours and fill in my wallchart with a frenzy.
Vix
xxx
PS Thanks for your kind comment.
MDS - I know I couldn't believe it, I was standing right next to Gordon Banks! My friend Neil was wearing an old tracksuit top with 'France' across the front and Geoff Hurst playfully grabbed him and asked what on earth he was wearing! It was fantastic.
Wendy - you want it don't you? Perhaps you could design some World Cup earrings!
FG - I am very excited but won't be wearing the swimsuit either, I'm afraid.
VV - now you could get away with that swimsuit! Hope we're going to see the wallchart on your blog.
You know what - I know I shouldn't say this... but I don't care about the World Cup. I know nothing about football therefore should not utter a word about it. Now shoes on the other hand.... Fantastic to meet you on Wednesday night. Will stay in touch about Tweet up xx
I sure miss footy. I love ice hockey though. When I was in the UK, I was a Hammers fan. I remember the World Cup when Bobby Moore was captain. I can't recall if we won or not though...it was in the '60s.
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