Who burnt Alf's World Cup sausages?

England players wait at the airport prior to flying out to Mexico

According to this legend, the England manager suffered this indignity on arriving in Mexico City for the World Cup in 1970.

The story goes that Alf Ramsey had a low opinion of the integrity and cuisine of all Latin Americans (see his infamous 'animals' comment after Ratin was sent off for Argentina in 1966). Worried about  foul-play and/or upset stomachs, Alf ordered that English food be flown in for the tournament.

Outraged by this challenge to their food importation laws, the Mexican authorities (allegedly) incinerated the long travelled British pork sausages on the tarmac at Mexico City Airport.

I cannot find proof of this (alleged) Mexican stand-off. But there was plenty going on to fuel Alf's suspicions of foreign conspiracies: the peculiar Bogota bracelet incident, for example. And then star goalkeeper, Gordon Banks, went down with food poisoning on the eve of Quarter Final against West Germany.

If only Gordon had stuck with British fish and chips .... 

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First World Cup?

European teams travel to the first World Cup .

In 1930 the first World Cup tournament was held in Uruguay. 

Only four European teams made the long sea journey. Can you guess who they were? 

And which country travelled first class?

1930 World Cup: Fun Facts (audio)

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100 Essential World Cup Words

Fabio Capello once said he could manage the England team with just 100 English words. Here are ten he would need:

1 – ball 2 – cup 3 – player 4 – Game 5 – Match 6 – Win 7 – Lose 8 – Play 9 – Team 10 – Goalkeeper ...

Source: The Cambridge Dictionaries Online

Can you guess another ten? Write them down. Now download the list below

100 Essential Football Words

Source: The Cambridge Dictionaries Online (CDO)

World Cup History Quiz * 1930 World Cup * Football Teaching Pack

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Are all England captains cursed?

Every player claims it's his life ambition but leading the England team has been something of a poisoned chalice. Losing the captaincy was a bitter experience for John Terry while Rio Ferdinand also felt harshly treated.  

Even Bobby Moore, who lead England to their only triumph, spent the days before the following tournament in jail - see here for details. The 1974 World Cup was not a happy experience for Moore, either - many blamed the ageing player's participation for England's failure to qualify.

Bryan Robson also had a grim time. He missed most of both 1986 (shoulder) and 1990 (achilles). David Beckham could also be forgiven for not thinking of the Jules Rimet trophy with any affection. He was sent off in the crucial game against Argentina in 1998 and taking the armband in 2001 brought no better fortune. Unfit during the 2002 tournament (broken metatarsal) he went off injured in his last game as captain against Portugal in 2006.

Will things work out better for Steven Gerrard? England fans hope so but he should avoid black cats and keep his fingers firmly crossed. Let's hope he used up all his bad luck in that season-deciding fateful slip against Chelsea at Anfield ....

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How many European teams played in the first World Cup?

Only four European teams competed in the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930: France, Romania, Belgium & Yugoslavia And they travelled there together on the same ship.


King Carol of Romania personally paid for his players, who travelled in the third class section (luckily there were no iceburgs or they may not have got the lifeboats!)

Only the French team travelled first class, only joining players from the other nations to train on the ship's deck.

There is no mention of how the WAGS (wives & girlfriends) travelling - I can't see the modern ones accepting third class tickets, somehow.

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