Let’s admit it, England’s record is terrible. But there’s hope this summer

Now I know what some will say. They’ll look at our overall win-loss ratio, apply a whole bunch of comparative mathematical formulae, and tell us that England win the number of matches that you’d expect them to, given the country’s size and playing resources etc. In other words, they’ll tell us to stop whingeing and get real.

But I don’t buy that for one moment. In fact, I reckon it’s a load of garbage. Because as any true fan knows, an overall win-loss ratio is irrelevant. Who cares that in the last three major tournaments, our win ratio is superior to any other European nation? Why should it matter? What matters is trophies. And despite getting to the last two Euro finals, we failed to win either. It’s now 60 years and hurting worse than ever.

And what makes it doubly dire is that our major competitors don’t find it nearly so difficult. Since 1966, Germany has won six World Cups or European Championships, and Italy, Spain and France have won four each. Even minnows have done better than us. The Euros have been won by Greece, Denmark and Czechoslovakia (as was), while we English are still searching for that elusive first triumph.