THE football season is all but over - but fear not - it's nearly time to watch Roy Hodgson's men battle their way to glory in Brazil. We hope...
1. STREET PARTY! When Wills and Kate got hitched, the whole nation came together to celebrate with bunting and patriotism, why not the same for our beloved football?
2. A game only lasts 90 minutes (+ extra time). You don’t have to spend the other 22.5 hours of the day in front of the TV screen. Arrange to meet some of your friends for a kick-about.
Whether you’re destined for the Premier League or destined for the bench, nothing brings the lads together more than a game of footy... unless their team includes a sore loser. There’s JJB Soccer Dome in Blackburn to choose from or Soccer Burnley in... Burnley, plenty of pitches around East Lancashire... You could even join a local team!
3. Have a BBQ. Here’s hoping the weather holds up, it is June after all! Invite friends and family and discuss Ronaldo’s skill, Fellaini’s hair, and dodgy refereeing decisions... Here’s hoping we don’t have another Lampard scenario.
4. It only comes by every four years and unlike the Olympics there’s not much variation in sport, so if you’re not a football fan, you’ve got the red card! Fortunately, Cricket season has begun so whether you’re a spectator or player, you’ve got a good excuse to stay away from the pubs and stay out in the Sun.
5. The 60’s! A decade of the VW, The Rolling Stones... great music in general, and England’s World Cup victory! The late, great John Connelly was there then, we could be this time... Well, not really, because we won’t be in Brazil... But why not head over to Connelly’s chippy, in Nelson, for mouth watering, deliciously unhealthy, as the best things are, fish and chips. Keep ‘66 alive throughout East Lancashire.
6. Head to the pub! Maybe even one without a big screen... Goodness knows it’d be one of the few where you could hold a conversation without the awkward ‘smile and nod’ after not hearing your company for the umpteenth time.
7. Go international! If you think World Cup season is a sober time of the year, you’re kidding yourselves... Why not bring in the beers from the various nations competing, for instance Budweiser during USA or San Miguel when Spanish are in action.
8. Teach your children about the nations involved. For example, teach them Costa Rica is an actual country and not a coffee establishment and Belgium is not just the home of chocolate... Despite it probably being one of the best things.
9. Do as the Brazillians do. Learn to Samba... Dance as opposed to Chris Samba of Blackburn Rovers.
10. GO WATCH IT!!! Wherever, whenever, it only comes round every 4 years – make it a good one!
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here