World Cup Fever in the Land Down Under: Australia, June 2010

It’s truly kicking in – World Cup Fever. The passion that I first had back in June 1986 is back. I was too young to remember the 1982 World Cup sadly. Which is a shame because Northern Ireland won the group, and beat host nation Spain. However by 1986, I was a big Norman Whiteside fan, thanks to my Dad I had a green and white Mexico 86 Northern Ireland scarf (possibly my most treasured possession), and I also had the complete Mexico 86 Panini Sticker Album by the end of July.

Northern Ireland fared well in that World Cup considering the group we were in, the hot conditions (which Billy Hamilton once told me about) and the fact that a lot of the players were coming to the end of their careers. It truly was the end of an era for the Northern Ireland team, we haven’t reached a World Cup since.

But that hasn’t stopped me watching, supporting and loving it. My parents bought me a Holland kit in 1990, and I loved Marco Van Basten. In 2002 I bought a Cameroon kit and supported the African Lions. In 2006 I lived in Bournemouth and bought a mexico kit, just because they played in green. This year I find myself living in a land down under, Australia, so I guess I’ll have to cheer for the Aussies, or as they’re known here, the Socceroos.

It’s 5 am. I can’t sleep. World Cup Fever has kicked in (or is it just that my room mate for the night, Ross, an Australian guy is a heavy snorer?). I start work at 8 am, in 3 hours I will spend my day chopping cauliflower (Intrepid variety) in a field at Loanes Lane, Ambleside/East Devonport, here in Tasmania. I won’t miss the World Cup!

It’s been a busy and random week here. I’ve worked my five days already this week, so I’ll finish around 4 pm today, with two days off to catch the football. I don’t know where I’ll watch the opening ceremony and matches…but it will be in Hobart somewhere.