Only a dogged never-say-die attitude enabled Roy Hodgson's men to fight back and beat Sweden in their second Euro 2012 game. It certainly wasn't down to talent.

Football Diary

by Patrick O'Connor

THE English political scene is currently awash with rows over bankers' bonuses and tax-avoidance schemes for public servants.

Money certainly does make the world go around but there seems to be tiny chink of common sense appearing in professional football.

Football Diary

by Patrick O'Connor

THE job of being a football referee is becoming more difficult every day and recent controversy over who should and should not be sent off for two-footed tackles is not making things any easier.

Indeed, it's almost becoming a witch hunt by television as pundits pour over, frame by frame, every contentious tackle.

Football Diary

by Patrick O'Connor

FOOTBALLERS can be really weird and do have some strange habits.

The Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who is very much an old school type, has apparently lost his rag over his players following the latest Premier League fad of cutting up their socks!

Football Diary

by Patrick O'Connor

“ME mam says I can come out to play.”

No, this isn't the throw-away line from a young kid as he skips to the park with his mates but the likely conversation between Mason Bennett and Championship football club Derby County.

Football Diary

by Patrick O'Connor

IN Lou Reed's 1972 song Perfect Day, the lyrics start 'Just A Perfect Day, Drink Sangria In The Park'.

For some people a perfect day may indeed be a visit in the park or a trip to the zoo or even a day at the seaside.