England's rampant, raucous army of fans have been the "12th man" at all the World Cups I've covered. The hundreds of thousands who have followed the Three Lions have impressively transformed from an angry aggressive group during Italia '90 to an impeccably behaved roaring battalion in South Africa, Brazil, Russia and Qatar.
They are already arriving here in Dallas. There are more families, more women and a couple of youngsters from Merseyside whose dad has taken them out of school for a week. "They've learned about Rosa Parks and JFK today – that's some history lesson," he smiled.
It's England fans who patiently queue three hours before kick off to place their flags on every single spare space inside the grounds to promote clubs up and down the country like Hartlepool, Huddersfield, Halifax and Harlow Town.
In general they've been a joy to meet and I've been able to wear my Daily Mirror Fifa lanyard without a single problem. I've seen men and women dressed as lions, St George, Queen Elizabeth II and even King Arthur. They've been the thread of England's World Cup participation over so many decades. It's been an amazing – and long – journey for me at the seven finals I've attended.
Memorable Moments from Italia '90 Onwards
Diego Maradona, Jairzinho, Geoff Hurst, drunken Scottish players and a jewellers in Colombia where Bobby Moore "stole" a bracelet have all played their part. The wonderful Italia '90 was the first World Cup I attended.
It was the World Cup of Gazza's iconic tears. We shared them as he cried after being booked during the semi-final which would have ruled him out of the potential final. He was certainly happier a few days later when I vividly remember being at Luton airport when the Three Lions squad returned to an extraordinary welcome from hundreds of thousands of fans. In scenes that just wouldn't have been allowed today. Gazza wore a pair of fake breasts as the team bus inched its way through heaving masses greeting their heroes on their return.
Honeymoon in Italy and a World Exclusive
We actually drove down to Italy on our honeymoon but my wife of two weeks, Lois, ended up taking dramatic photos of inebriated Scottish players and I filed a world exclusive splash. It was an extraordinary time and I certainly never expected to see drunken Scotland players in between two group matches. The story of them drinking beers after losing to Costa Rica went around the world.
Not all of my World Cup memories are positive. Some are painful. Before the 1998 tournament I flew to Colombia to interview the fiancée of Andres Escobar. He had scored an own goal at the US World Cup in 1994. A week later he was assassinated in his home city of Medellin – at the time the most dangerous city in the world. His girlfriend invited me into their apartment for a moving and emotional interview.
After Medellin I flew to the capital Bogotá and visited the Hotel Tequendama. It's where Bobby Moore was arrested for "stealing" a bracelet in 1970. The shop was still there. One member of staff remembered the incident but didn't want to talk about it – Moore, of course, was completely exonerated.
Other Memorable Tournament Encounters
My other favourite memories from other tournaments include: In 2018 I sneaked into the Tunisian team hotel two days before they faced England. I managed to grab a game of pool (I lost on the black!) with two of their best players. In 2014 I played beach volleyball with former Brazilian international Felipe on the beach next to Copacabana. In 2006 it was the carnage of Baden Baden and the emergence of the WAGS. But away from the bars and clubs, I became friends with Theo Walcott's mum and dad.
In 1986 I watched the "Hand of God" match in a Reading snooker club with future Mirror executive Chris Eary. Twenty years later when I met Maradona he chuckled when we recalled it and I told him where I was.
Early Memories and Family Connections
My 85-year-old mum tells me I watched the 1966 final as a 22-month-old toddler at the family home in Hatfield Heath, Essex but, unfortunately, I can't recall it. But my memories do stretch back to 1970: the coins – with players' heads on – which my dad collected from Esso garages. That save from Gordon Banks and the substitute appearances from Peter Osgood. In later years I was lucky enough to interview Brazilian star Jairzinho on several occasions and he recalled the game so well.
In 1973 I remember watching England drawing with Poland at Wembley and failing to qualify for the 1974 World Cup. But I can remember my dad announcing at the annual Hatfield Heath festival that Scotland had been knocked out on goal difference. There's even a photo of me holding a ball taken on the morning of the 1974 final.
All fans have their World Cup memories indelibly imprinted on their minds. Now for England fans it all starts again. A new generation will be making new memories. Do you think football could finally be "coming home"?
