"HIS CAPTAIN'S HAND ON HIS SHOULDER SMOTE, PLAY UP, PLAY UP, AND PLAY THE GAME" POEM (VITAI LAMPADA) SIR HENRY NEWBOLT.

As the hullabaloo rages about England’s goal that never was and the desirability of goal line technology I think it is time to bring my immense experience and knowledge of the ‘Beautiful Game’ to the debate. The first thing to say is; had I been in Lampard’s place there would have been no controversy as I would have hit the back of the net cleanly instead of faffing about with the woodwork. While I mention Lampard would it not be a better tactic when Lampard lines up to smash another free kick against the defensive wall to leave more players back to cope with the counter attack?

Anyway I am against the introduction of goal line technology and a word for the English commentators here; causing a huge ‘rammy’ about technology immediately after your team is denied a goal is not the right time to have the discussion; it smacks of expediency and poor sportsmanship; very un-British in fact.

Those who call for goal line technology are kidding themselves on if they think it would be possible to confine it to just that area; I believe that a very recent and just as blatant example backs me up. If we had this technology does anyone think that it should have been applied to the Theirry Henry double hand ball which led to Ireland going out of the tournament? It would inevitably spread to every area of the pitch and the beautiful game would cease to flow and would not entertain as it does now. Football is a flowing game unlike others where play stops and starts continually and technology is used such as cricket; tennis and Rugby which is meant to flow but rarely does.

The answer is obvious; I saw a brilliant ariel picture from above the German goalie as he dived back toward the Lampard shot which beat him he is shown clearly staring at the ball from his mid air horizontal position and the ball has crossed the line; the ball bounces and spins back out into to his hands and he realizes that a goal has not been given and he speeds on with play.

Had the incident been reversed the English goalie big David (calamity) James would have paused and like a typical stiff upper lipped Corinthian British sportsman he would have thrown the ball into the English net and preserved his nation’s honour. What we need is for the rest of the world to emulate the British “sword of truth and trusty shield of fair play” the traditions forged at Eton and Harrow, nothing less can save the “Beautiful Game” now. So; come on chaps ‘Play up; play up and play the game’