Sniping at our World Cup kids.. that’s Murphy’s flaw

THERE were a few typically British responses to England under-17s blowing away the rest of the world in India. First, the BBC deciding to pull their coverage when the final ended and switch to a repeat of Gardeners’ World. Meaning viewers missed seeing the rarest of sporting sights – England footballers lifting a World Cup. Instead they had to make do with staring at a heap of compost.

Second, the almost immediate reaction of everyone involved in English football: None of those kids will make it because the Premier League is packed with Johnny Foreigners, so they will be shipped out on loan where they will slide into mediocrity.

And third, Danny Murphy panning them for being self-obsessed prima donnas for turning their shirts back to front so their name, not their badge, was on display (left) when they picked up the trophy. A trophy they had won so brilliantly they had the right to pick it up with their shorts on their heads if they had wanted.

It must be so rewarding for them to feel all the love back home.