Skip to main content
Football’s crown jewels? Not quite
MARK PERRYMAN suggests selling off Wembley isn’t such a bad idea

SATURDAY October 7 2000, we were all set for a big celebration in the Wembley stands to bid a fond farewell to those Twin Towers.

Then, in the 14th minute Germany’s, and Liverpool’s, Dietmar Hamann puts a soft free-kick past Seaman, England fail to respond and at the final whistle most of the crowd couldn’t get out of the place fast enough. Oh, and it rained.

What followed was one of the greatest ventures in English devolution, bar none. “England on the road,” as England internationals became a local fixture in Ipswich, Southampton, Leeds, Derby, Leicester and Middlesbrough.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday December 20, 2025
Men’s Football / 7 January 2026
7 January 2026

Slot’s Reds face potential attacking blow with Salah away and Isak injured

England players celebrate with the trophy, July 31, 2022
Women’s football / 27 June 2025
27 June 2025
Detroit Prowl's Toya Shinaul, from left to right, Kelly Bernadyn, Sydney Hebel, Jasmine Hamilton and Allie Gorcyca walk out for the coin toss at the start of an AWFL women's football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025
Tackle Football / 24 June 2025
24 June 2025

LARRY LAGE writes about the growth of tackle football and how it provides female athletes opportunities in a game previously dominated by men

Arsenal fans ahead of the Uefa Women's Champions League Winners parade in London, May 26, 2025
Men's Football / 18 June 2025
18 June 2025