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It was the new days of horror of a nation that played out, a nation of riot and jargon, a nation with a ridiculous government, a plummeting economy, England what who happened to England?
There is probably some comfort in finding that these words were written three decades ago, coda at another epic tournament, another moment of cultural change that seemed, at the time, to be oddly linked to English football.
All Played Out, column by Pete Daviess on Italia 90, is still the most deeply brilliant book written on football, English and English football. As Gareth Southgates players prepare to take their first steps in these plagued euros on Sunday afternoon, a month-long jaunt around the previously borderless entity known as Europe, this opening passage looks like a long-sighted nod from the past. No more change. Plus, it’s the same old thing all over again.
And so here we go. Welcome to international football at a time of rage and counter-rage, of gestures and jeers, and of a team and a crèche that have become, against all odds, deeply politicized.
Southgate has had six days with his team to prepare for Croatia at Wembley. He pushed those days to their limits, leaning into the defensive structure, the balance of the midfield, the intricacies of the staff and, breaking with the standard manager’s brief, the precise definition of the concept of English and the semiotics of race and tolerance. Graham Taylor called it impossible work. Graham, old bean, you have no idea.
It was inevitable that the so-called war of cultures invaded the footballs of very public oppositions. Everything is polarized, each object has a binary meaning. On one side of the masks, Marcus Rashford, a performative vaccination and agreeing with the Duke of Sussex. On the other flags, Jack Grealish, pre-match McCarthyism and in agreement with the Duke of Cambridge.
What’s interesting is how these tokens fell. For the first time, the England team and the manager are resolutely and unmistakably on the left. For the first time, there is a schism between the players, the manager and the core fan base of the team.
At Italia 90, the heavy weather around Bobby Robsons England centered on the behavior of the traveling fans, demonized by the Thatcher government as marauding barbarian hordes and a very practical scapegoat for the tensions of the time. Blame the football, blame the fans.
This time around, Boris Johnson was able to speak directly to supporters (also known as voters) who feel angered that England are on their knees. Alliances have changed. Blame football: blame the players. Blame the Marxist millionaires. And above all, blame the manager.
It was an extremely unexpected turn in Southgate’s life and times that he became a strangely divisive cultural presence on issues that have very little to do with football.
Southgate is a son of working class parents. His playing career has been remarkable mainly for his relentlessness, for the strength of his personality which led him from the Crystal Palace reserves to a tournament semi-final with England.
This relentlessness is also a theme of his second life as a footballer. He felt like an accidental leader in 2016, an internal replacement. This has proven to be misleading during five years of quietly effective revolution. If he too feels like an accidental politician, then this current status is also simply a function of character. Southgate listened to his players and followed his conscience.
Now he faces a rare state of danger. From there, at least until England start winning, the squad’s selection and tactics will be influenced by these external forces.
Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish get on their knees ahead of the friendly against Romania at Riverside Stadium, a decision which has been booed by some fans. Photograph: Paul Ellis / AFP / Getty Images
These Euros were already a difficult business. England entered the 2018 World Cup freed from expectations. The leadership, vibes and luck of the draw took them to the semi-finals. This time around, Southgate has visible strengths in their squad, allied with obvious weaknesses and a tough draw.
He has known for some time that his chances of success, and indeed the whole of England’s summer, will likely depend on how his side do with high-stakes games away from Wembley. Southgate seems convinced his best hope is to play three, squeeze space in England’s half and have players pushing hard from the front.
It may sound like a contradictory idea. England’s defenders are their weakest link, so let’s squeeze another into the starting lineup. But it’s a question of chemistry and balance. In addition, the opposition also has a say in what happens.
Southgate has played his hand so close that there is always the possibility that he will continue with the four full-backs England have used in their last five matches. This would allow another offensive presence.
It’s a choice made easier by the fact that Croatia has also evolved, but not in a good way. England have become younger and better since that World Cup semi-final. Croatia is older and weaker. England may well win and in so doing buy some goodwill for Southgate in the race against these floating furies.
If there is one lesson to be learned from this particular intersection of politics and tournament football, it is that England adapted and moved to Italia 90. The fans were happier than angry. The team found depths previously hidden, thrilling and indeed uniting those who beheld.
It was a joyous summer, and also a transformative one, as English clubs were reluctantly readmitted to Europe, a prelude to boom times to come.
Football will not solve your problems. But nothing succeeds like success and if there is a real sense of unity there, it is in the sense that everyone, without exception, needs a little escape, a little bit of collectivism and a reminder that life can also be a source of shared pleasure.
No pressure then. Over to you, Gareth.
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