Words by Jago Hemming
Euro 2020 performance aside, this England team stands apart in its commitment to bettering the world beyond football.
2013 saw the release of The Class of ‘92, a film documenting the rise and success of six Manchester United players, hailed as being part of one of the best footballing squads of our generation. Eight years on, and things couldn’t be more different.
In place of looking back at what once was, we are now looking up at some of the most exciting prospects in world football – but what sets these players apart from the superstars of other nations is not how fast they can dribble or how hard they hit the ball. Instead, they stand for a message, and use their platforms to inspire the youth of today. Following a turbulent year, we look at England’s star men and how they’ve worked to bring the country back together away from the football pitch.
If there was one thing to lift the nation’s spirits after hearing that lockdown easing would be delayed once again, it was always going to be the England squad’s performance at Euro 2020 – especially after football nearly ended up coming home back at the 2018 World Cup. But after the twists and turns of the past year, some of our stand-out players took it upon themselves to win the hearts of the nation in a very different way.
Take Marcus Rashford, for example, who, in October last year – at the tender age of just 22 – was awarded an MBE for spending lockdown tackling several problems facing young people across the UK. After the criticism of footballers from Health Secretary Matt Hancock for not playing their part during the pandemic, the Manchester United star made a name for himself by teaming up with FareShare to deliver meals to children across the country who had been neglected by the government. By July, the organisation announced that they’d reached four million pupils nationwide.
Thanks to Rashford’s campaigning and philanthropy, a policy change was confirmed by the government as free school meals were to be extended throughout the summer holidays. In the wake of his achievements, the then-22-year-old was honoured with a mural by a local street artist in Withington, Manchester where he once lived.
An avid Twitter user, Rashford was also one of many footballers to receive racial abuse online this past year, and his response further showed the now-23-year-old’s maturity beyond his years. “I’m not sharing screenshots. It would be irresponsible to do so… There’s nothing original in them. I have beautiful children of all colours following me and they don’t need to read it. So, sorry if you were looking for a strong reaction, you’re just simply not going to get it here.” While any of us could have reacted angrily to the comments, the Mancunian stood strong as the perfect symbol of solidarity.
England’s 1-0 win over Croatia last Sunday proved a special moment for another England role model. In the 30 degree heatwave, it was Raheem Sterling who stormed the headlines after scoring the winner in the 57th minute – exactly 523 yards from the house in which he grew up. An inspiration to London’s youth, the Manchester City forward has been a leading voice against racism in football for several years, as well as being a major positive influence on Marcus Rashford’s experience – despite the two being at rival clubs. It’s this admiration that highlights the solidarity and camaraderie across English football amidst the current social climate – a solidarity that transcends the competitive nature of the sport.
These past few years have seen the dark sides of football almost as much as the light. But the response of players and managers at the highest level of the game has commanded a level of respect amongst fans and casual onlookers that has not only left this group of lads a team to be feared – but most of all, a team to be proud of.
Read our take on the not so beautiful game.