It was called ‘a game made in heaven’ –
boots, balls, flags, bands and painted faces,
a game that grew like history ‒ the wonder game,
the glory of it . . .
There were star-names like Stanley Matthews and Alex James
from days when footballers earned a few pounds a week
and wore knee-length shorts.

There were others like Pele,
Maradona, Cruyff, Beckenbauer, Best – heroes of the game
with talents galore. Some played in World Cups,
some didn’t, but they played the ‘beautiful game’
and loved it.

Finally, girls started playing football:

they had their World Cup too.