In 40 years watching football I’ve travelled to numerous World Cups and international tournaments, including a memorable month spent in Japan watching every England game during the 2002 edition.

As a child I marvelled over what is still my favourite international team, the ultimately unsuccessful but utterly joyous 1982 Brazil World Cup side. Which, as an aside, proved that you simply don’t have to win silverware to prove your greatness. And my word they were great. I can ......