Why we won't win the football ...

... although, as an Englishwoman, it goes without saying I hope I'm proven wrong.

The distinct lack of heart within the team against Algeria, combined with Rooney's little tirade set me thinking as to why the national football team appear to suffer a lack of motivation. And I'm probably being mean, but I think it comes down to need.

English Premiership players enjoy an extraordinary lifestyle, with money and riches that far outstrip any of our other professional sportsmen and women, many of whom consistently deliver the results at World level: Our triathletes, rowers, swimmers, sailors, cyclists and so on - you know who they are if you're a regular reader of this blog. Even our rugby and cricket teams, vilified if they lose, have both delivered world titles in the past seven years - and seriously, who expects them to win every time out? Except the media, obviously. But the players know they have to deliver consistently or they're out, there's always someone new waiting to take their spot. Where's that strength in depth in football? It's the single biggest sport in this country isn't it? (Apart from fishing and martial arts I believe - and competitors in both deliver on the world stage).

So why? As I say, I think it's need: Individuals in the so-called "unfashionable" sports have to deliver and keep on delivering, to retain funding or attract sponsorship and to keep their place in the squad. Steve Redgrave, from my distant memory, didn't have regular sponsorship until after his third Olympic Gold. His third, for goodness sake! They have to deliver, again and again, to be able to compete at the same level. But our professional footballers don't need to, do they? They've got their £100k a week contract, irrespective of injury or loss of form and seem to retain their place in the national side even if suffering from both. Is there any strength in depth? (My teen son said he'll play for England for nothing, he can at least control the ball! Meiow!) Ian Botham said just pulling on the England shirt was motivation enough.

From being able to name the whole Ashes 2005 side, I'm struggling now to name any (just too busy to keep up, sorry lads!) Likewise the rugby team has changed majorly since the 2003 World victory. But the football team? I reeled off who the squad was likely to be and yet I take less notice of football than I do anything else. So does it come down to media pressure, building them all up so much it gives us false hopes or a management too scared to try anyone new? Everyone has an off day - but the whole team practically at the same time? Something seriously lacking, isn't there? Pride? Desire? Need? We'll see on Wednesday.

Sportsday

Don't let the football result get you down - remember, our women's team were runners up in the recent Women's 2009 Euro Championship and Phillips Idowu has been named European Athlete of the Year; Dario Franchitti has regained the IndyCar series; England's netball team scored an historic victory over Australia in the World Series! Success at the World Darts World Cup for Tony O'Shea, Karen Lawman & Lisa Ashton and Jamie Lewis. And triathlete Chrissie Wellington has won her third successive World Ironman Championship - she's never been beaten! Rio who?

Another sportsday, tinged with sadness

We lost one of the nicest England managers today, as Sir Bobby Robson passed away at the age of 76. Having suffered from many forms of cancer of the past few years, Sir Bobby appeared at a charity match just last week, hoping he could help others suffering the same as he. In 1986, there are many who believe the World cup was ours for the taking - but for some dubious divine intervention! Close again in 1990, a World Cup would have cemented his reputation, after taking Ipswich Town to European glory. A gentleman manager; he will be sadly missed.

Swimming: Gemma Spofforth takes Gold in 100m backstroke in world record, Jo Jackson and Rebecca Adlington take Silver and Bronze in 400m Freestyle. The womens 200m Freestyle Relay team took Bronze.

Darts: Phil Taylor wins 10th World Matchplay title.

Sailing: GB pair pick up Silver in World Champs.

Shooting: GB women take Gold in European Championship.

Triathlon: Brownlee claims Silver in European championship, and tops rankings following another series win.

Sports Night

The big news of the week of course - Gillingham’s promotion to League One! You can imagine how excited Matt was on arriving home, I was talked through the goal - it’s been a long time since I had to play a goal post!

Another superlative drive from Jenson Button, lights to flag at Monaco, after another last minute pole position, who could ever have believed it after the winter he had - five out of six races now!

Archery: British Women win Bronze in Euro champs. And four medals in the first World Cup meet in the Dominican Republic. Canoeing - Gold for Rachel Cawthorn in the World Cup meet in Poznan, Bronze for Lucy Wainwright and Lani Belcher.

Paralympic World Cup: Cyclists already bringing in the medals; more cycling Gold; Bronze for basketball; swimming medals; more Gold for David Weir ;double Gold for Tweddle and Smith at Gymnastics Grand Prix.

Badminton Horse Trials won by Oliver Townend; Women’s Ice Hockey Bronze; Tania Bailey wins World Tour Squash Title.

Let it alone too long again, didn't I!

Sports Night 2: End of an Era

As you know, The Hobbit had another Cup Final today - The Treasurer’s Trophy is the official title for the Under 18’s cup in the Maidstone Minor League - and we won! 4-2 and well deserved it was. A quick early goal, which they (Barming Youth) equalised, we grabbed another to be 2-1 up at half time, then it went to 3-1 before they converted a penalty. Cue lots of pacing and yelling and eventually we bagged another within the final ten minutes. You’d think I could relax, but no - we were 5-0 up in a cup game once and let them back into it (eventually winning 6-4) so none of us were taking it for granted!

It was a fitting end to a decade of success for this particular squad of Rochester BVFC, managed/coached by Hubby. There’s a few lads who have been with it since they were five years old (awwww) other players have come and gone but they’ve always delivered - pound for pound, Hubby’s won more than any Premiership Manager!

So we’re all out celebrating. ‘Cept we’re not - I’m here (obviously) and they’re all out watching Gillingham FC, hopefully winning their home tie to make it through to the Div 2 Play off at Wembley. There are rumours of a celebratory barbecue though, at the official end of the season!

Sports Night

All quiet on the sporting front, apart from Jenson winning again, of course. Did I say it was quiet? I’m lying - I just haven’t had the chance to catch up lately …

Here’s the extended Inside Sport interview with cycling’s current main man, Mark Cavendish ... our adaptive rowers bring home a boat full of medals and our sailors are still adding to their tallies. Judo silver for Clark and get this: World Championship Ice Hockey bronze for GB! Ice Hockey??? Not to be outdone - may I present to you our gymnasts, whilst the Scottish Curlers win the World Champs. Here's an introduction to London Marathon medallist Mara Yamauchi. Brit Speed Skier Marc Poncin, World Champ last year, has to settle for third this year.

And I’m off to the football club presentation, where I’m hoping hubby will get the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ Award. It feels like a lifetime he’s been involved! We've another cup final on Sunday, fingers crossed pleased. The Gills drew 0-0 last night against Rochdale, the home leg is also on Sunday. Come on you Gills! It better be worth the rush back! And I know he's not a Brit - but the adorable and cuddly Valentino Rossi won his first Moto GP race this season, last weekend!

Sporty 3BT

England's Women win the Cricket World Cup. Didn't you see the ticker tape and triumphant open top bus parade? Honestly, where were you? Or maybe that'll be next week?

Tune in for the Cycling World Championships, coverage starts on BBC2 at 7pm on Wednesday.

Breaking News: Footballing Teenager re-christened ‘The Hobbit’.

He was curled up in a ball on the sofa, asleep after the game yesterday - all we could see was a pair of dirty feet. They were probably like it before he went football.

The Local Boys Done Good!

Ok, so the actual end result wasn’t in Gillingham’s favour, but Hubby, who took Matt along to his first F.A Cup game today, reported back that the Gills played very well and were unlucky not to get at least a draw. We were especially interested as two of Bredhurst’s (young) old boys now play for the Gills Youth team, have had a run out in the reserves and, due to player shortages at Priestfields, were both on the bench for this game. Connor Essam and Dean Rance used to play in Brad‘s age group, under the managerialship of Hubby, and after he told me for the fifth time, I thought I’d write it up for posterity. The first words Brad said when I collected him from the pub after work *Sighs: I remember those days* were: “Did you see Connor and Dean on the telly?” Well, no, but I believe you. So here we are now, all settling down in front of the highlights, to wait for the moment the cameras cut to the bench, just so we can all shout “There they are! Did you see them? Cool.”