Difference are put aside for a common cause

18 JUNE 2002

Everyone is talking about the World Cup, so why not write about it as well. When we went for a curry on Friday night, it was the first thing the owner mentioned. When I opened the photographic exhibition at the Customs' House - the 62nd South Shields Photographic Salon, which is well worth seeing - the first joke was about missing the Denmark match. And on trains and in the dry cleaners World Cup fever seems to have gripped the country. Even people who hate football seem excited!

Everyone seems to agree that the Japanese and South Korean teams have been a revelation, that the French had it coming, that the Irish are heroes and that the Germans can't help getting an easy draw. Oh yes - and Beckham should be made a Saint.

The England team have been a revelation - and not just for their play on the field. They have attracted fantastic support from the Japanese, who have discovered that English football fans can be passionate without being angry, and that Britain can offer more than Burberry's raincoats. They have shown that a foreign manager is no block to loyalty and commitment. And they
have shown that in an understated and honest way, English players can articulate thoughts and feelings in a serious and honest way, without saying 'over the moon' or 'sick as a parrot' or 'game of two halves'.

The team have represented the best of our values - teamwork, loyalty, commitment, skill. And one other thing - a willingness to put aside differences for common cause. A couple of months ago these players were at daggers drawn over the future of the Premiership title. Now, Manchester United players like Beckham go and kiss Liverpool players like Michael Owen!

Somehow we have learnt that we can be proud of ourselves without being hateful of others. There is dignity in difference as well as joy, and when people of many cultures come together it is great to see.

It doesn't bear thinking about what will happen if we get past Brazil on Friday. I watched the Denmark game in my local on Saturday, but Friday at 7.30am is a bit early for usual pub fare. But I will certainly not be scheduling meetings until the excitement has worn off.

The country seems just about ready for a national holiday - and employers will be cursing another set of shifts starting late. But if it puts a smile on everyone's face then that can't be bad for productivity. One psychologist has even written a paper to prove that football is making us more civil - and it is certainly true that lots of people are going out to watch the games in pubs and in town squares, enjoying it with others rather than on their own.

It's now thirty-six years of hurt since 1966, but it hasn't stopped us dreaming. I understand Brazil looked fairly good against Belgium. So much the better - you can't win the World Cup without beating the best teams. As long as it doesn't come to penalties, I am banking on a happy summer - with a final against Germany, just like old times!