URUGUAY has long struggled to live up to its football heritage, but then any country of just three and a half million people battles against huge odds to win major competitions, especially with far noisier and more acclaimed neighbours on … Continue reading Gods in sky blue – the 1930 Uruguayans
URUGUAY has long struggled to live up to its football heritage, but then any country of just three and a half million people battles against huge odds to win major competitions, especially with far noisier and more acclaimed neighbours on … Continue reading Gods in sky blue – the 1930 Uruguayans
THERE was something very unsettling about sitting in the conservatory of a luxury hotel and enjoying a hearty breakfast as you watched the centre of George Square, Glasgow prepare for the Homeless World Cup. Unsettling because the night before, I was a little unhappy that the water brought to my room was not sparkling and the tea was Earl Grey not English Breakfast, as requested. As I studied the impressive tableaux before me take shape, a voice in my ear said to me: “Get a life, for Christ’s sake”. Seeing members of the 60-odd teams walking around Glasgow, taking “selfies” and … Continue reading Discomfort and delight – the Homeless World Cup
EVERY DAY I walk past a young girl who sits in Bishopsgate, the City of London, asking people to smile. She always looks tired and stiff after a night sleeping on the street. Occasionally, I give her some change – once or twice, I have bought her a coffee. I’m ashamed to say, that doesn’t happen too often. It’s easy to walk past people like this girl and her outstretched hand, many of whom have tragic personal stories, but you know that if your life suddenly got turned upside down, you could find yourself in similar circumstances. I would be … Continue reading Like everyone else, the homeless love their football
