I’ve made a conscious effort to avoid the news recently due to the worldwide destruction dominating the headlines. Despite this effort, the name ‘John Terry’ and the words ‘England captain’ have made their way onto my radar. If you take the current situation at face value, it should be simple really - manager appoints a captain, team accepts decision. However straightforward this decision should be, the relationship between the armband and its wearer is a unique one.
For the life of me I’ve never understood the press’ preoccupation with the England squad or its captain so I decided to broach the subject with a group of seasoned football fans at the pub before the Chelsea v Kobenhavn match.
According to the lads, the role of England captain gained reverential status because of a certain golden haired skipper by the name of Bobby Moore who guided England to victory in the ‘66 World Cup. Apparently, there was something about the image of Moore wearing the red England kit and holding the cup victoriously that touched a nerve in the England fan and caused them to immortalise the skipper role. The role of the England skipper is held in such high regard that it could be argued that no other national team captain is revered as highly or under as much scrutiny.
No pressure, eh?
Judging by the number of fans at Stamford Bridge singing ‘There’s only one England captain’, it seems like England fans want more football and less politics. If a players suitability for the skipper role is measured with a morality stick… good luck naming one in time for Saturday.
I can’t tell you who should captain the squad, but what I do know is that this is yet another inappropriately timed debate that if not settled quickly, will only serve to distract and hinder the squad – again.
