What ho, Englishmen!
Lawrence rightly upbraids me for my failure to mention St George's Day. I have, alas, been rather busy. But what better way to redress the balance than to point you to this superb article by the Telegraph's Brendan Gallagher. He writes:
It might not be politically correct in a world in which only Celts seem allowed to beat their patriotic breast and my granny in Donegal will surely excommunicate me if she ever reads this but across the board, and across the decades, there is no sporting nation on this planet to compare to England.
England is a packed Twickenham and whiskey nips on frosty afternoons and singing Abide with Me at Wembley. It is a Bobby Charlton piledriver, a Wally Hammond cover drive and Lawrence Dallaglio's tears as the national anthem plays.
England is Wimbledon fortnight, Cowes Week and the Cheltenham Festival - all three the envy of the sporting world. It is the Boat Race and Henley, a packed Lord's on the first morning against Australia and a raucous Oval as the sun sets on another Ashes series.
"This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England." Shakespeare probably was not thinking about sport at the time but his words ring ever true.
What magnificent sentiments! Let us never forget that, in Kipling's words, to be born an Englishman is to win first prize in the lottery of life. Cry God for Elizabeth, England and St. George!
Yours, etc
Viscount Crouchback
Come off it M'Lord, it has to be Australia. World cups in most things (except Soccer), thye never take part in anything without thinking they can win. They even muster 90,000 for AFL, which is about 89,990 more than it would draw anywhere else in the world.
Posted by: Mr Sheen | 26 April 2010 at 08:55 PM
Australia? Are you quite mad? They only win at marginal, ex-Empire sports. In fact, their entire facade of sporting dominance is a complete sham. Let's see them rodger all-comers in soccer or F1 or golf or tennis before we hear any more silly claims like that.
Posted by: Viscount Crouchback | 26 April 2010 at 11:10 PM
I fear you have been affected by the bombast of the article My Lord. Whilst it is always thoroughly enjoyable to send colonial types packing on the cricket and rugger fields, I would rather we failed at soccerball, where the criteria for success appear to be the amount of hair product one can apply to ones head prior to kick off or the most effeminate displays of petulance. We should only seek to succeed at sports which require craft, guile and above all good old-fashioned phlegm.
Posted by: Andrew | 27 April 2010 at 02:59 PM
Personally, I think we should revive Jousting. But none of this rubber-lance nonsense. Just full-on, wood vs armour contact!
Posted by: Lawrence | 27 April 2010 at 05:10 PM
How many Australians have won Wimbledon since one of ours? Cash, Laver, Newcombe, Hoad, Emerson & counting...
Quite a few good golfers in their time too, admittedly on the fragile side (Norman, Baker-Finch).
Not many boxers though.
Posted by: Mr Sheen | 27 April 2010 at 09:23 PM
I can't believe a Crouchback considers F1, little Bernie's vulgar circus, a sport. I'm surprised you weren't desperate enough to throw in darts and snooker while you were at it.
Posted by: Mr Sheen | 27 April 2010 at 09:26 PM
I was also shocked to learn that our dear Viscount considers F1 a sport! Whatever is going on?!?
Posted by: Gemini | 29 April 2010 at 12:24 AM
This may go some way to unraveling the mystery, Gemini.
http://viscount.typepad.com/a_viscount_speaks/2009/10/formula-1-and-englishness.html
Posted by: Lawrence | 29 April 2010 at 11:09 AM
My Lord, I am watching the debate at the moment. I know you are probably a conservative, but you have to admit, this Nick Glegg is great!
Posted by: darwinia | 29 April 2010 at 09:50 PM
Thank you Lawrence. That is indeed rather enlightening.
Posted by: Gemini | 29 April 2010 at 10:26 PM
Well no, chaps, F1 isn't really a "sport" per se. In fact, it's a damned boring rigmarole if you ask me. But I do think the various F1 boffins represent a certain brand of Englishness which I find reassuring. I wouldn't invite Ron Dennis round for supper, but I'm glad fellows like him exist.
Ugh. Darwinia, you must be joking. I knew that you had bleeding heart tendencies but even you, I hoped, would draw the line at Cleggie.
Posted by: Viscount Crouchback | 01 May 2010 at 01:02 AM
Viscount,
Your thoughts please.
Much as I dislike the "Twenty20" format, it is still cricket, albeit a vulgar form of it. England are progressing well in this tournament but our batting is dominated by South Africans and Irish. Should we support our country or not?
Giles
Posted by: Hugo H | 13 May 2010 at 07:07 PM
Get the quote right re "Lottery of Life" it wasRhodes not Kipling
Posted by: BJH | 16 June 2010 at 08:59 AM