One of the great, unanswered questions of philosophy is the QI favourite: If a tree falls in the forest and there is nobody there to hear it, does it make a sound?  Now, I think we can add the contemporary footballing parallel which is: If England beat the World Champions in a friendly and nobody gives a rat's ass, did it actually happen?

I can't personally put my finger on why it is I have no real emotional need to become a little bit patriotic and [occasionally, let's not go mad] show my overt support with a garment bearing some red, or even tune in and watch football, which is normally a no-brainer.  Perhaps the romance has gone from football, or maybe I'm getting old, certainly it isn't the same any more.  My first football match ever was at a packed Wembley Stadium, in a time when 100,000 people would cram in to watch.  As a lad of diminuitive stature it wasn't the easiest spectacle to observe but by God was it good.  The players were, too, with the likes of Ray Clemence, Emlyn Hughes, Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking fielded for England and Big Pat in goal for the visitors, it really didn't get much better.

And so it continued through successive European Championships and World Cups, qualifying and finals, all were of a variety but each and every game started with the mouthwatering anticipation that the English Lions would roar and the sound could be heard far and wide.  The reality is, of course, that invariably there was huge disappointment likely, and so it proved for some time, albeit the last throes of Keegan in 1982, failure to qualify for Euro 84, the 'Hand of God' or abject failure in Germany in 1988.  Nevertheless, my pride in the team was never faltering and un-dented.

Of course, we all know what happened then, possibly the high-point of the English national team since 1966 - World Cup 1990 - what a sublime carnival of football, with England right there in the mix.  Right up until Gazza's tears there was a "dare to believe" sense with everybody watching that if, just if, England could get to the Final, we can beat anybody on our day.

Since then: 1994, DNQ.  1996, out on pens to ze Germans.  1998, out on pens to the Argies.  2000, out in the group stages (no thanks to Phil Neville).  2002, QF exit because Seaman thought Ronaldinho was Nayim.  2004, out on pens to Portugal.  2006, Rooney sent off due to Portuguese winker, then out on pens.  2008, DNQ.  2010 , torn a new one by Germany.

And that could be it.  Despite the team itself having a growing reputation for being World-class (e.g. ranked 4th [above Brazil!] in the world in June and August 2011), they have a habit now of flattering to deceive.  I don't believe I am alone in having one hope when an international break descends upon the Premier League, which is one that Spurs' jewels are returned in pristine condition.  Certainly my general demeanour vis-a-vis England was improved none following a quick-fire double of injuries to Michael Dawson and Jermain Defoe in September 2010 within days of each other.

While there is a (slim) chance I could again be showing my colours in future, the current England team doesn't excite me and the prospect that the retirement of John Terry might be negative causes me no end of problems - after all, who is there to replace him, seriously?  Maybe it needs our own Harry to bring back the Pride...who knows?

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