ENGLAND 2 BELGIUM 1. Stadium of Light. 10.10.99

TWO LIONS.

Peter Gilbert.  10.10.99

It's coming home, it's coming home, it's coming......football's coming home !!!!

2 Lions on the pitch
Leicester you're not dreaming
Who says we're not rich?
We've got Emile and Stevie.

(sung to the tune of 3 Lions)

After only 2 mins. of this historic game of football and after Steve Guppy had got over the embarrassment of having to wear a red shirt, his trusty left foot struck when his long corner was met by Adams who headed it down to Lampard . His wayward shot was blocked and the ball popped up for Shearer who 'bicycle' style scored to get England off to a great start.
Shortly afterwards two Guppy crosses exposed a 'Dracula' keeper ( doesn't like crosses).  He suffered from a lack of service from Southgate who was playing left side without a left foot. Throughout the first half Steve got not one pass from the midfield passer Redknapp.
He ran on to a back heel from Philips which was slightly too far forward, another yard back and he would have scored.
Defensively he was busy and competent only on one occasion did he look exposed when a spinning ball deceived him.
In the second half he calmed down, his team mates began to realise he was there and he rained in his own unique style of lethal deliveries.   With a little more confidence and when he eases into the position mentally as well as physically I think England have found themselves a genuine left sided player who can go past people, can cross with both feet, can shoot, can pass short and long, can link defence to attack and will track back tirelessly.
After 85 mins. we were in heaven as Emile warmed up and came on to replace Shearer. Can you imagine it - Leicester City with two players on the pitch in an England team, you would have to go back to the early 70's to match that when in fact we had 4 players on the pitch. But let's not take anything away from this achievement.
On 87 mins. Emile anticipated a weak back pass. He gained possession of the ball, rounded the keeper but from a very tight angle he hit the post.

Stand up and be counted Leicester City for your contribution to English football in the 1990's which is at last being recognised. Yippee we're back.But did Emile hurt his ankle?

You just forget how proud you feel when one of 'your' players represents his country.

Leicester's current internationals.
Neil Lennon - N. Ireland (captain)
Gerry Taggart -N. Ireland
Arnur Gunnlauggson - Iceland.
Theo Zagorakis - Greece (captain)
Frank Sinclair - Jamaica
Matt Elliott - Scotland
Robbie Savage - Wales
Steve Guppy - England
Emile Heskey - England

Coming soon: Muzzy Izzett
Soon to re-appear: Tim Flowers
Ex internationals: Tony Cottee.
+++ don't forget Martin O'Neill. John Robertson.

This is not a bad line up for a 'little' team.

ps WE've also had two internationals leave recently: Kasey Keller - USA and Pontus Kaamark - Sweden

pps Thanks for the result in Stockholm Pontus !!!!!