I wept when England lost the 1990 World Cup; it stirred some strange and powerful feelings, which I still do not understand. But I haven't followed football since, and know little about it, but I knew this piece would be about more than football. It goes right to the heart of why football is such an integral part of culture and so deeply personal to so many - memory, hope, disappointment, it's all here and beautifully expressed.
Ah England, that’s another story entirely… (maybe I’ll write that one when they win the World Cup, so never). Thanks so much for taking the risk on it and for being so kind!
I’m not intending to get over it for quite some time. I was fully prepared but still utterly shocked for how much it meant.
A pal, Rowan Pelling, used a quote from me in The Telegraph yesterday; and Nic Lezard has stuck me in his New Statesman column. I shall recommend your Substack to them.
unsubscribed
😍 You’re a prince
I’m so glad you decided to write/publish this. I really enjoyed reading it, a wonderful piece all around, congrats on the win and your son’s recovery.
Thank you!
I wept when England lost the 1990 World Cup; it stirred some strange and powerful feelings, which I still do not understand. But I haven't followed football since, and know little about it, but I knew this piece would be about more than football. It goes right to the heart of why football is such an integral part of culture and so deeply personal to so many - memory, hope, disappointment, it's all here and beautifully expressed.
Ah England, that’s another story entirely… (maybe I’ll write that one when they win the World Cup, so never). Thanks so much for taking the risk on it and for being so kind!
I’m not intending to get over it for quite some time. I was fully prepared but still utterly shocked for how much it meant.
A pal, Rowan Pelling, used a quote from me in The Telegraph yesterday; and Nic Lezard has stuck me in his New Statesman column. I shall recommend your Substack to them.
https://substack.com/@josephsfurey/note/c-262049556?r=39rbu&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Thank you!! This was me trying to wrap my head around it, and I’m still trying
I’m biased, of course, but that was very moving. Paced almost like a “small miracles” parable. Beautifully done.
And we fucking won!