Discovering winecountry

In 1976, Bayern Munich broke French hearts when they defeated St Etienne in the final of the European Cup. It was a measure of the then State of French football that crowds lined the Champs-Elysees to greet the losing Les Verts. Twenty-two years later, the Paris streets were crowded again, but this time it was the World Cup winners they were cheering. French football had finally come of age.

Le Foot charts France’s remarkable rise from second-class footballing nation to worthy world champions. It describes the influence of Auxerre’s youth academy and the scandals of greedy money men; how CANOTONA became king of England and ZIDANE the world’s best player. It looks at how players like PETIT, BARTHEZ and ANELKA are increasingly acquiring superstar status, iconised by the music, fashion and advertising industries.

Carlisle United have had some truly great footballers over the years, but it takes someone very special to attain cult status at Brunton Park. Someone like Jimmy McConnell, who wound up opposition players by telling them he would put them on their backsides before scoring a goal! Then there was the legendary Alan Ross, a goalkeeper who enjoyed reading a newspaper… during a game. Then there was the one and only Stan Bowles, who was collected by taxi from the bokkies just before home games.

When England’s rugby team set off to France to defend their world title, few outsiders gave them much chance. A run of poor results and injuries left them looking under-prepared and outgunned. When they struggled to beat the USA and were destroyed 36-0 by South Africa, a record defeat for England in the World Cup, many feared they wouldn’t even qualify from their group.