Painter's Journey Post

Hello and you’re very welcome to another edition of ‘Painter’s Journey Post’. There were quite a few different subjects I considered talking about today and it took some real mulling over, however, I managed to come to a decision.

Today's subject is...The Magic of Sport and England Football Team

As a sports enthusiast and the typical British ‘Northerner’, I for one am looking extremely forward to the tournament. Exactly what our chances and prospects are I do not know, but what I do know is that all the football on show will be truly exhilarating and exciting with all 32 qualifying nations going all out to win.

The World Cup only occurs every four years and over the four year qualifying process, the expectation of the English nation seems to consistently increase as we get closer to the finals. However, each time we somehow just don’t manage to make it and this is never quite good enough for us. Are we realistically the best nation in the world? Should we as English fans be able to sit back, relax and have full confidence that our boys can get to the final and take the prize? You’re probably answering no, so why do we constantly think not winning the World Cup is a huge failure?!

Don’t get me wrong, I want us to win the World Cup as much as the next person, but I won’t grumble and cry myself to sleep for two weeks after if we fail to do so. Whenever I watch my team play, more often than not it’s not the result I make my verdict from, it’s the performance and the character that the players on the pitch show. So, if they give their all, play 110% and entertain me as a spectator for the duration of the game, I will be happy and proud to wear the shirt. On the other hand, should the team go out and not give it their best shot and give themselves the best possible chance of scoring a victory, I shall then be disappointed and feel let down, and probably rather annoyed and disgruntled.

England go into the tournament as one of the favourites once again, and I believe that we have quite a realistic chance of ‘bringing it home’ in 2010 should the players under the expert tutelage of Fabio Capello gel together and play the standard of football that has warranted their selection for England. We have to believe this,  the players have to believe this, we can conquer the world at football, we have just 7 more games to do this, around 650 more minutes of hard work and determination, our hopes lie with 23 players, and if, just if, these numbers work out we can become number 1.

Whether you’re playing international sport, professional sport, or just having a quick mess-about with your mates down the park; you should always give it your best shot. We’re fortunate to have the opportunity, and there are plenty of people out there who sadly can’t do it for whatever reason. Make the most of what you’ve got, strive to be successful and most importantly enjoy taking part. Those three factors are what sport is all about, and that’s why it is such a strong piece to the worldwide jigsaw puzzle of activity.

Well, there goes another ‘Painter’s Journey Post’, hope you enjoyed it, and thanks for reading! Enjoy the World Cup; I know I certainly will be doing!