Dear Aussie Football Fans

Thank you for your jokes and jibes and pretty strong anti-English sentiment in my direction (not from everyone, but some of you)

Personally I don't expect anything from England. I thought we'd lose in the quarter finals on penalties, so obviously this was a disappointment, but am not suprised by what eventually did happen.

The fact is we aren't good enough and won't be unless the whole structure of football in England is changed.We have a league which is run more for the entertainment of fans around the world than for the good of football in it's own country. The majority of players and coaches are imported and a tiny fraction is spent on youth development. Even then, many of the youth players are from overseas as well. We also play too many games because of the self vested financial interest of the clubs.

Basically, the English Premier League is killing the national team. Many people here in Australia (and around the world no doubt) who revel in the defeat of England contribute to this by supporting teams in the EPL from afar. Your Fox TV subscriptions and money to buy replica shirts feed the whole money making exercise and you care for your club and your club alone.

The same can be said of glory seeking football fans in England as well. They are so absorbed in their own teams fortunes and welcome these big name foreign imports, be they players or coaches, with little thought for the long term impact on England. Then when the World Cup comes around the press inflates it all with a load of over the top and quite frankly ridiculous hype about how we're going to win it. Sadly many people believe it, despite the facts in front of them.

So, am I pleased that my home country has the most hyped and popular football league in the world (note I didn't say the best)? No.

Quite frankly I'd rather you all supported German, Spanish, Italian or any other clubs and the English Premier League could go along nurturing young English talent away from the glare of publicity.But as long as the FA gives more importance to maintaining the EPL's reputation worldwide over what's best for the England team then we will never win a tournament again.

I know that thought makes you lot happy. I won't return the favour and wish ill on the Australian team though because I genuinely wish them well and want they and the game in this country to thrive.

But as far as England-bashing from hypocrites who support English club sides is concerned? Go f*** yourselves!

Banter

Banter, what would football be without it eh?

As the World Cup approaches the level of it is intensifying on the forums and in person. As an Englishman living in Australia I'm of course copping a fair bit. As an Englishman living anywhere in the world would do, I of course am giving my fair share back.

However I think it's only right to point out that despite my jibes and mickey taking I do genuinely want Australia to do well in South Africa. It's been heartening to see how football (or soccer if you prefer) is coming to the forefront of peoples awareness in this country on the back of the Socceroos going to the World Cup. I wasn't here in 2006 but have heard enough to know that the levels of excitement will only increase tenfold if the team does well. For the good of the game in general and the A-League in particular I think it would be great if they at least got out of the group.

Where there is every chance they could face England. Which is where any goodwill towards the Socceroos from me will stop!