![]() ![]() I made many friends there - in Manchester, in York and in London. There are bad eggs everywhere but, for the most part, English people are decent and good. And I do think ‘escape’ is the right word. I love my job and all of that really began for me when I escaped from here as a kid. I was able to put that to some use later on, firstly as a sportswriter. It was as a journeyman but it gave me the chance to educate myself, gave me the chance to learn something about the world. That goes back to getting the chance to play football in England.Įamon Dunphy of Millwall and Ireland, playing against Charlton Athletic, in the Football League Div 2, at The Den on 1st March 1969. I’ve been blessed in my life, in all sorts of ways. The Queen’s passing will lead many to reflect on England, the nature of Englishness and our links to the country.Ī move to England and a life in football opened a door for me and I’m very lucky that that happened. Would everyone have respected a minute’s silence before games? We mightn’t like to admit it, either, but there is an element to soccer supporters that you can’t trust either. What kind of message would that send out? It would have struck a very jarring note. They’d be drinking before and after the game, singing in the ground and celebrating goals and victories. If the games went ahead, there would have been hundreds of thousands at matches all over the country. You just can’t compare it to rugby, or golf, or hockey, or anything else. Soccer is the most popular sport in England by a mile. It’s refreshing, then, that they made the correct decision, when there was a lot of pressure from many to give the games the green light. I wasn’t sure that they would do so, as there is so much money around the games. (Photo by Martin Pope/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died at Balmoral Castle at the age of 96, having reigned over the United Kingdom for 70 years. LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 9: Police officers are present as floral tributes and messages are seen outside the gates of Buckingham Palace. Those in charge of the Premier League have often made daft decisions.īut they have made the right call in postponing this weekend’s matches as a mark of respect to the Queen. It isn’t often that I would praise the football authorities in England - or in most places. The response of the majority has been bang on - and I include the Premier League in that. Her passing saddens me and many with no connection to England feel the same. It’s strange to think that I could have ended up serving Queen Elizabeth II in her armed forces. Fate intervened and Manchester United came calling. I got the forms and filled them in, but they were never sent. That was the only way out for plenty of Dubliners from poor or modest backgrounds. There were plenty of us who were green in thinking and inclination, but I actually came close to joining the British Army. Many of us have a complicated relationship with England and my family were no different. READ NEXT - Aviva Stadium could host English clubs in Champions League following Queen Elizabeth II's death READ NEXT - Deciding status of nationality is not always a simple choice We were on the cusp of Beatlemania and Swinging London. ![]() It rains a lot in Manchester too but there was more life and more vibrancy to England then. When I left for Manchester as a callow teenager, I was leaving a damp and depressed Dublin. England is a country I love and one that was very good to me. ![]()
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