Holland – The Team That Changed Football – Enjoyed Themselves

In 1974 the Dutch football team set the world of football alight when they introduced a whole new concept called ‘Total Football’. They revolutionised the game. This team from the Netherlands captured the imagination of football fans across the globe. If defenders went forward, midfielders played deep. Everyone could attack and enjoy themselves. This is … Read more

Enjoy Yourself When You Play – Johan Cruijff (Cruyff)

Laugh & Enjoy Yourself - Johan Cruijff

  Enjoy Yourself “The main thing for everybody, especially for a sportsman, is that you must enjoy yourself otherwise you will never enjoy it and never be good at it. I say to my son. Do whatever you want to do. Do it with pleasure.” source: Johann Cruijff, Tribute to a footballing visionary . BBC 5 Live. … Read more

World Cup 2014 Best Sportsmanship Moments (Part 1/2)

PR Smith, author, sitting on couch with footballs on the wall

What a World Cup it’s been. Shocks, sensations, revelations, great football mixed with the odd  fear packed paranoid game, some crazy behaviour, wonderful goals, great celebrations, great fun, great fans,  – some of whom were literally out of this world and lots of great sportsmanship. Sit back relax and enjoy some of the great moments … Read more

Immortal Fans, Sport Club Recife Donate Organs

Brazil’s Sport Club Recife is known for having some of the most passionate fans in Brazil . “1st God. 2nd Sport Club Recife. 3rd Family. 4th work” says one fan. “Nothing else matters…..Sport Club Recife is everything “ says another fan. They are passionate about life too. Even after death. 51,000 Recife fans have signed … Read more

People Who Succeed Demonstrate The Greatest Sportsmanship – Conor O’Shea

Whether it is the 6 Nations Rugby, World Rugby Cup, World Cup, Olympics or any game, any sport, anywhere, Sportsmanship is crucial, says Conor O’Shea. Conor played for Ireland 36 times and is currently Director Of Rugby in Britain’s most successful club, Harlequins RFC. Here’s what he has to say about sportsmanship and The Great … Read more

Great Fans – Wenger Stops TV Commentators so French Can hear Irish Sing

4-0 down and with a few minutes left , the stadium in Gdansk is filled with the sound of 25,000 Irish fans singing ‘The Fields of Athenry’ with the Spanish fans clapping in rhythm. The World Champions  coach, Vincente del Bosque, said afterwards: “I thought (with) that the Irish fans and players showed us what … Read more

We knew we were part of the universe of footballers (part 1)

The World Cup is up and running. Teams are swapping shirts, shaking hands and some nice celebrations (so far the South African’s opening goal celebration is top of the ‘joyous goal scoring celebrations chart’). So far so good. Just a few divers who were publicly shamed in front of worldwide tv audiences as the referees … Read more

Where Are The World Cup Sportsmanship Heroes?

As hundreds of millions of us sit down to a feast of football, who will stand out as a real champion of football? Who will light up the World Cup with a smile (remember Pele’s smile) instead of a raging roar of aggression? Or maybe a dance (Peter Crouch’s Robot Dance or the 42 year … Read more