Tony Dallas talks sport… and with more than 20 years working as a sports development officer he knows what he’s on about

Published: 13 June, 2013

There seems to be a fundamental flaw when it comes to our national football team and tournament finals.  

No matter the age group, we always revert to type as was so aptly demonstrated in England’s qualification for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, then their capitulation when we got to Israel, losing every game!

The frustrating thing is that head coach Stuart Pearce can‘t tell us why. The players are confused because they’re the same group that qualified so convincingly and, yet again, our fanatical footballing country is left to lick the wounds of another anti-climactic offering.

In truth, I didn’t recognise many of the players in our team. Only a handful are from Premier League clubs and most of those have been out on loan to lesser teams, many of which are in lower divisions.

Therefore, alas, we continually fall short, leading me to the undeniable conclusion that we’re just not good enough. We’ve had a school of excellence for over 15 years. Teams now have the best training facilities money can buy. Yet we still produce players who cannot kick with both feet, look uncomfortable on the ball, and we still suffer managers who consider flair players a luxury!

I cannot understand why Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Phil Jones did not feel compelled to make themselves available. These are top quality players who would have given England a better chance of a different outcome. England did call up a few of their Under-20s for the tournament so why not the other way around? I believe the value system has gone from the game.

When we first saw Wayne Rooney, he played like a kid who had been given a football for his birthday. Now he looks like a man who has the nation on his shoulders.

And when you think how much pressure is heaped on him come international game time, he does indeed carry all our hopes.

This week we report on football tournaments in Camden for primary school kids organised by the Schools Sports Association.

Hundreds of children expressed themselves playing the beautiful game. So when does that spontaneous sense of joy dissipate?

Is it the first time you’re shouted at for trying the “Cruyff turn”? Or when you sign professional contracts? Whenever it is, it needs to change because from 1966 to the present day is a long time to go without any silverware.

What do you think about the state of English football?

Tell us your view sport@camdennewjournal.com