Every time I watch an England match, I cannot help wondering at the vacant looks on the faces of the players while the national anthem is being played.
What is wrong with these young men? Do they not know the words to their own anthem? It is especially galling when England play against another team whose members sing their hearts out while their anthem is being played. Nothing especially wrong with being quiet and respectful during the anthem, but that is not even the case with most of the English players. In fact, tonight, there was at least one English player chewing (gum, possibly) during the anthem. Such disrespect.
Can whoever is responsible for these young men not have a word with them? Such little things matter.
(As to the match itself, don’t ask me. I switched channels when the commentators reverted to their customary smug mode. It is for this reason that I normally watch England matches with the sound muted.)
September 13th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
I know you’re an old Tory, but you have to remember that these millionaire footballers are republicans and committed socialists.
Personally, it would be a cold day in hell before I sing homage to the Queen. My land I love, my queen, I couldn’t care less about.
September 13th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
“but you have to remember that these millionaire footballers are republicans and committed socialists”.
Not that I’ve ever actually met a footballer, but I suspect you’re giving them too much credit for thinking at all.
September 13th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
On this side of the pond (USA), the National Anthem is just a musical prelude to the game itself. The only novelty is National Hockey League games, because they’ll play both the US and the Canadian anthems.
I suspect that player reactions will be a little bit different next summer (if England makes the cut). If nothing else, the players will be affected by the fever of the fans - perhaps even the anarchists will be singing “God save the Queen” with impassioned gusto.
September 14th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Have you ever heard top flight footballers speak in an interview? They can hardly string a sentence together, so their gormless looks during the National Anthem is not surprising at all.
September 17th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Ther is perhaps no coincidence that in other countries children are taught the national anthem in school and it is sung with pride.
My eldest is now in Year 8 and not once have they sung the national anthem in school assembly. How can we expect people to have pride in our country or anthem if we don’t teach them so.
September 17th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
If they reintroduced the verse about, “rebellious Scots to crush”, the anthem would certainly generate more enthusiasm.