España 1982 was the first World Cup to feature England for an embarrassing twelve long years after the national side failed to qualify for both the 1974 and 1978 tournaments. So in most cases the expectations were kept to a minimum and the fans were just relieved that they actually had a team to support in the competition. While England had a pretty decent squad entering the tournament, they were severely lacking in firepower which was not helped by injuries to big goal threats, Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking, before the tournament had even began. The pair were instrumental in Englands qualifying campaign and having to play the majority of the tournament without either player was a huge blow to The Three Lions. After winning all three games in their first group stage, England were handed a tough second group against West Germany and Spain. With a lack of goals throughout the side, two goalless draws would see England finish as group runners up behind West Germany and therefore not advance any further in the tournament. Would we have gone all the way with a fully fit Brooking and Keegan? is a question that will be debated by a particular generation every four years after a few pints in the local.
A wrestling enthusiast, currently educating the youth of Taiwan English; there are now a bunch of Asian kids running around with Yorkshire accents. Read about that trip and others at dragonstravel.com.
