GAMBLOG UK - WE ARE ENGLAND - England National Football Team Unofficial

Referring to racist abuse hurled at black players in the recent England v Spain international, Director of Kick It Out Piara Powar said: "Aragones has displayed attitudes that in Britain would be met by no less than his dismissal. He has expressed a breathtaking contempt for progress that no prominent role model should be allowed to exhibit."

Football Commentator - Footballers Spitting All Over The Pitch
♠ Before corners, many players spit in the direction they will go when the corner is taken
♠ Spitters spit the furthest after missed shots, bad tackles tend to get a "sit and spit" by the injured player (before the trainer arrives)
♠ Players spit in groups around who takes the free kick as both a territorial gesture and also a way to show displeasure at not getting the shot, needless to say, free kicks are a spitting orgy.
♠ Referees never spit.
♠ Goalkeepers spit in their gloves constantly, why doesn't Nike make some self wetting gloves or something?

Sven Goran Eriksson Has Spoken. Sven said.

"Frank Lampard was always a big talent at West
Ham United but I couldn't believe he would have developed into as good a player as he is now.

John Terry 'The same goes for John Terry. He has improved so much since he began to play for Chelsea and has developed into a very fine young captain.

'Both players have also developed for England and, if we qualify, I believe they will be very important for us in Germany.

'Who would I vote for? Honestly, I couldn't pick one above the other. Seriously, I would share the award this year.'"

David Button - Tottenham Hotspur
Mark Davies Wolves
Hogan Ephraim - West Ham United
Joe Garner - Blackburn Rovers
Scott Golbourne - Bristol City
Andrew Gooding - Coventry City
Sebastian Hines - Middlesbrough
Zac Jones - Blackburn Rovers
Darryl Knights - Ipswich Town
Michael Mancienne - Chelsea
Lewis McGugan - Nottingham Forest
Leigh Mills - Tottenham Hotspur
Fabrice Muamba - Arsenal
Elliot Omozusi - Fulham
Scott Phelan - Everton
James Vaughan - Everton
Theo Walcott - Southampton
Myles Weston - Charlton Athletic

England kick off their Women's Euro 2005 campaign on 5 June against Finland at the City of Manchester and were delighted to receive the invite from City 'keeper David James - a man who is fast becoming an ambassador for women's football!!

Having met England winger Rachel Yankey at the England kit launch and made a media appearance with 'keeper Rachel Brown last Thursday, James visited the England team at training yesterday to invite the entire team and coaching staff to tonight's match.

He will also be in attendance on Thursday night as England take on Scotland in a warm-up friendly at Tranmere's Prenton Park.

England Women's Team coach Hope Powell said: 'It's a fantastic gesture from David and Manchester City and will be a great experience for all the players.

'Seeing the stadium full and walking out of the tunnel before kick-off is something you can't replicate on the training ground, and will hopefully help banish any nerves when we walk out for real in just over six weeks' time.

Seb Hines (Middlesbrough) 11 caps, 1 goal
Hines was an ever present at the back for England as they won all three of their European Championship qualifiers.

The commanding centre-back also played in all England's matches in the Pepsi Tournament earlier in the season, which included wins over Italy, Russia and Portugal.

"Hines has a good personality and is a good leader," Tord says. "He's a strong defender - solid in the air and in the tackle. And like so many of the England side, he's very technically accomplished.

"He is good on the ball and effective at coming forward to begin attacks."


Theo Walcott (Southampton) 9 caps, 5 goals
The 16-year-old winger is undoubtedly one of the most promising players around and on his 16th birthday, in March this year, he signed for the club that discovered him - Southampton.

With the Saints youth team, he has played a big part in the side reaching the FA Youth Cup Final and with England scored in both the European Championship qualifiers in which he played.

"Technically, he is very good - and extremely fast as well," Tord says. "He has the ability to beat defenders with his skill, pace and balance.

"He is so mature for his age and has a very strong character. He should get better and better."


David Button (Tottenham Hotspur) 8 caps 0 goals
Established himself as England's first-choice goalkeeper during the Pepsi Tournament in September, Button is an agile 'keeper who has lost only once in England colours.

"Button is a very good all-round keeper," Tord says. "He's agile and athletic and an excellent shot-stopper."

During the recent qualification matches, Button pulled off some outstanding stops and was only beaten twice in the three matches.

"But as importantly," Tord continues, "he makes good decisions and is decisive at coming for crosses."

Sir Les Ferdinand - "My face is the wrong colour to be a boss in English football."

Gary Neville - "We don't have a big problem with racism in this country, you can think of probably one or two incidents in the last five or 10 years - Gary Neville"

♠ Wembley Delayed - Concerts Hit (updated march 8, 2006)

"Wembley Stadium Capacity?"
With 90,000 seats the new Wembley Stadium will be the largest football stadium in the world with every seat under cover. There will be NO obstructed views.

"We're all looking forward to the chance to play in front of 90,000 England fans at the new Wembley it will be the greatest stadium on earth." - said Wayne Rooney

♠ 1) The goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball inside his penalty area.

♠ 2) For handling the ball to be an offence, the handling must be deliberate.

♠ Q) Does it therefore follow that a goalkeeper who accidentally holds the ball outside of his penalty area and who either releases the ball from his hands immediately or immediately returns the ball to the penalty area should not be penalised?