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Political Footballs
May. 29th, 2006 09:10 amIn case it has escaped your attention, the (soccer) World Cup is rapidly apporaching. And this being Britain - or more accurately, Scotland - football has become a political issue.
Gordon Brown has decided to declare his support for England. Despite him being a life long supporter of Raith Rovers. He even told the Telegraph " that one of his best football memories was the goal Paul Gascoigne scored for England against Scotland in Euro '96." Now, I have strong memories of that goal - it was beautiful football; but I can't thnk that any Scots recall Gascoigne's skill with any pleasure.
Brown's stance has nothing to do with the fact that it has dawned on him that he will have to convince voters in England - as well as his constituents in Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath - that he can represent him.
Interestingly, Jack McConnell, Scotland's First Minister, is supporting Trinidad and Tobago, since many of that team's players play for clubs in the Scottish leagues. Which is fair enough, and a better reason than that Trinidad and Tobago will be one of the sides England play early in the tournament - which would be reason enough for most Scots, I'd guess.
McConnell reckons he did not link politics with football. Clearly he has never been to Glasgow.
Gordon Brown has decided to declare his support for England. Despite him being a life long supporter of Raith Rovers. He even told the Telegraph " that one of his best football memories was the goal Paul Gascoigne scored for England against Scotland in Euro '96." Now, I have strong memories of that goal - it was beautiful football; but I can't thnk that any Scots recall Gascoigne's skill with any pleasure.
Brown's stance has nothing to do with the fact that it has dawned on him that he will have to convince voters in England - as well as his constituents in Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath - that he can represent him.
Interestingly, Jack McConnell, Scotland's First Minister, is supporting Trinidad and Tobago, since many of that team's players play for clubs in the Scottish leagues. Which is fair enough, and a better reason than that Trinidad and Tobago will be one of the sides England play early in the tournament - which would be reason enough for most Scots, I'd guess.
McConnell reckons he did not link politics with football. Clearly he has never been to Glasgow.