Martin Peters
Martin Peters was, of course, one of the ’66 World Cup heroes and a man described by Sir Alf as ’10 years ahead of his time’ although recent polls suggest he is now 40 years behind the times. Nicknamed the ‘Ghost’ because of his ability to drift unnoticed and unmarked into a dangerous area, Peters was a genuine World-class player and one of the greatest products of West Ham’s ‘Academy’ of the 1960’s. However, the former Hammers, Spurs and Norwich midfielder has another claim to infamy.
Martin Peters was, of course, one of the ’66 World Cup heroes and a man described by Sir Alf as ’10 years ahead of his time’ although recent polls suggest he is now 40 years behind the times. Nicknamed the ‘Ghost’ because of his ability to drift unnoticed and unmarked into a dangerous area, Peters was a genuine World-class player and one of the greatest products of West Ham’s ‘Academy’ of the 1960’s. However, the former Hammers, Spurs and Norwich midfielder has another claim to infamy.
For on the night of 30th July 1966, Peters went
to bed at 10 p.m. claiming the tournament had been very stressful, he had missed
his wife and he needed a good sleep. Whether our hero means ‘sleep’ in
the biblical sense of the word and this says much for the allure of Martin’s
wife, Kathy isn’t something we need to dwell on (At least, I don’t - but feel
free if that is what floats your particular boat) but you have to admire any
man who - having won the World Cup a few hours before – stifles a yawn,
stretches his arms, looks at his pyjamas, plumps up his pillow and thinks “Yea,
Sod this celebration malarkey, I can do that in another 4 years - I’m having
some of that cocoa”
An apocryphal tale perhaps but as a counterpoint to Peters’
celebration; my Granddad went out celebrating that night and returned in
mid-August just in time for the new season at Upton Park. Asked by my Nan – a
fearsome woman at the best of times - where he had been, he answered
sheepishly ‘Well…It went to extra time’.
Algerian Tagine, Corona Mexican beer, Ardennes pate, and as a nod to the Vodka I brought back from a trip to St Petersburg with Blagg Jnr. – one shot of Russian standard for every goal scored by the Russia side (Don’t worry as Fabio Capello is in charge of the Russian team I’m not expecting for it to slow me at work tomorrow).
Today's Matches
Belgium opened their campaign, depending on their substitutes to pull of a 2-1 win against Algeria after the African side led from the 24th minute. Goals from Marouane Fellaini (70) and Dries Mertens (80) ensured the 'dark horses' got off to a winning - if unconvincing start
Mind you, they were nowhere bear as unconvincing as Brazil who more than met their match against a plucky Mexican side who bravely battled the home nation every inch of the way in a 0-0 draw. Whisper this, but this Brazil side don't look very good at all.
Later, Russia and South Korea drew 1-1 in a match best remembered for the brave job done by the BBC commentator who did superbly in quickly picking out the Korean and Russian names. Only one shot of vodka on Kerzakov's equalising goal on 74 minutes but it was enough to send me to sleep and miss the closing minutes.
The late nights are catching up on me...
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