0 Have your say Former Pompey forward Paul Merson believes England's World Cup hopes hinge on Raheem Sterling. The ex-Fratton favourite feels the Three Lions have a chance of winning the tournament - but insists the Manchester City man 'has to click' in Russia. Gareth Southgate's side face Tunisia in their World Cup curtain-raiser on Monday. Sterling is reportedly set to start in a striking role for England alongside captain Harry Kane in a 3-5-2 formation.And Merson, who played an instrumental role when Pompey won the Division One title in 2003, reckons the former Liverpool talent is key to the Three Lions' chances of capturing Jules Rimet for the first time since 1966.Speaking at mobile network Three's #ThreeWallBall event at the company's Commercial Road store, he said: 'If England are going to do anything then Sterling has to click.'If Sterling clicks then England have got a chance - and I mean that.'I know at the moment he can't hit a barn door but who would have … [Read more...] about Ex-Pompey forward Paul Merson feels England’s World Cup chances rest on Raheem Sterling
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Old Scottish song billed as England’s World Cup ‘secret weapon’
0 Have your say A 53-year-old song written by a Scot has been promoted as England’s “secret weapon” for the World Cup. Global music streaming service Deezer has launched a campaign in a bid to spur the English national team to victory in Russia.And they have chosen a song by Glasgow-born Lonnie Donegan for the dubious honour, with the track known as World Cup Willie.The single was the soundtrack to England’s World Cup win in 1966.READ MORE: SFA Compliance Officer Tony McGlennan quits roleDonegan penned the song in 1965 as the official tune to go along with the Football Association’s mascot for the tournament.Deezer has urged listeners to get behind the English team by “encouraging Brits [sic]to sing along to Lonnie Donegan’s World Cup Willie, the soundtrack to England’s win in 1966”.The mascot of England’s 1966 World Cup win, known as World Cup Willie, sported a version of the Union Jack under a St George’s … [Read more...] about Old Scottish song billed as England’s World Cup ‘secret weapon’
Former Bury Town and Ipswich Academy keeper Nick Pope set to be named in England’s World Cup squad
PUBLISHED: 17:02 15 May 2018 | UPDATED: 17:02 15 May 2018 Nick Pope looks set to be joining England at the World Cup just seven years after playing for Bury Town. Picture: PA Archant Former Bury Town keeper and Ipswich Academy reject Nick Pope looks set to be named in the England squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia. Joe Hart has apparently been told that he won't be going to the World Cup. Picture: PA SPORT Months of speculation, scrutiny and intrigue come to a head tomorrow afternoon, when the 23 men charged with taking on the world’s best are revealed. Their delight will contrast markedly with the disappointment of those missing out on Russia, with Hart - comfortably England’s most experienced player - said to miss the cut. - MORE: Nick Pope on his release by Ipswich Town England boss Gareth Southgate is reported to have called the 75-cap goalkeeper on Monday evening to tell him he would not be in the squad, with uncapped Burnley shot-stopper Pope … [Read more...] about Former Bury Town and Ipswich Academy keeper Nick Pope set to be named in England’s World Cup squad
England’s football World Cup campaign will not have an official song
England’s latest attempt to reclaim the football World Cup will not have an official soundtrack. The Football Association said it had not commissioned an official squad single or planned to endorse an unofficial song to mark the 2018 tournament in Russia next month. An FA spokesman said: “There is no official World Cup song planned.” It is not first time the Three Lions have been without a sanctioned anthem, although unofficial attempts have had some chart success. Reports of an effort by Chas and Dave, who have just released new music for the first time in 30 years, were met with a muted response from the band’s manager and drummer Nik Hodges. “There’s certainly no solid plan,” he said. At the last tournament in 2014, Gary Barlow’s reworking of Take That track Greatest Day, featuring stars of pop and English football, such as Pixie Lott and Gary Lineker, was dropped in the lead-up. A video was unveiled for Sport Relief in March that year … [Read more...] about England’s football World Cup campaign will not have an official song
England to travel to Russia 2018 without a World Cup song, FA reveal
England's football fans will have to come up with their own soundtrack for this year's World Cup as it emerged the team will not have an official tournament song. The Football Association (FA) has not commissioned a squad single nor is there a plan to endorse an unofficial song to mark the competition in Russia next month. Despite previous records such as Three Lions, Vindaloo and World In Motion developing into anthems on the terraces and streets of the host countries, officials at St George's Park have distanced themselves from the tradition. Gareth Southgate is preparing to name his 23-man squad for the tournament before the June 4 deadline and has two friendlies against Nigeria and Costa Rica to focus on. It appears the manager does not want any off-field distractions to hamper his team's build-up. An FA spokesman said: "There is no official World Cup song planned." It is not first time the Three Lions have been without a … [Read more...] about England to travel to Russia 2018 without a World Cup song, FA reveal