All To Play For: The Home Nations' Football Adventures

QTXAdsy · Nov 16, 2017

All To Play for
The Home Nations' Football Adventures
Written By QTXAdsy

Chapter 1: Fancy Seeing You Here

The 26th June 1954, a corridor of two teams line up as the prepare to head out to play a game of Football. One team is dressed with white shirts, navy blue shorts and white socks, the other team is dressed in dark navy shirts with white shorts and socks. They are England and Scotland respectably and are the oldest two footballing nations in the world. Although they have faced of each other many times before in the British Championship, this certain game isn't part of that and is in fact something of arguably greater importance.

Andy Beattie, Scotland's first full time manager casts a glancing eye over at his English counterpart, Walter Winterbottom and the two men give each other a knowing smile at how they managed to get this far.

"Fancy seeing you here," Beattie says.

"You too," Winterbottom replies. "You have to say this isn't like back home, this whole thing is truly something."

"Aye true," Beattie nods before going quiet again. He won't lie, but there is tension in that corridor as they all wait to head out onto the pitch. Of course these England/Scotland games have always been about build up and bragging rights being at stake, but the game in question is a knock out game. No second chances, just a one off were only one team can go through.

The players especially know this, many of which are veterans of these sort of games, but know that at the end of the day, they'll either be heroes or villains by the time this game is over. Some of the players are jogging on the spot as they wait impatiently for Carl Erich Steiner, the Austria referee for this game, to lead the teams out. The nature of these games means that often players from the same club would be playing against each other and this game is no exception with Scottish Defender Tommy Docherty looking over at his Preston North End teammate Tom Finney and wonders to himself how'll they get on after this match is over.

Finally after what seems like ages, the referee motions the teams to come forward and move out onto the stadium and awaiting crowd.

"Good luck," Tom Finney suddenly calls out to Docherty, who mutters his best wishes to his teammate as they walk out.

As the teams step out into the open, they are greeted by a crowd of thirty thousand souls. A small crowd than what both teams are use to when either playing at Wembley or Hampden Park, but the thing is, this isn't either of those stadiums. The game itself isn't even be played anywhere in the British Isles but rather in the unlikely surroundings of the St. Jakob Stadium in Basel, Switzerland where the crowd isn't all waving Union flags, Scottish Saltires or Lion Ramparts but is rather filled with curious locals with some smatterings of the occasional British supporter scattered around in the crowd.

The game is in fact the Quarter-final of the 1954 World Cup being hosted in Switzerland, and it's Scotland vs. England with the prize being a place in the Semi-final. Two teams in a far away land prepare to battle for pride and the prize.

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Here it is! My second TL in which is a sequel to this TL in which marks as the POD. So yeah, it'll be about the adventures of the Home Nations teams at the World Cup and European Championships and the butterflies they might do. The next chapter on this will be on the two team's performance at the start of this World Cup and how they got to the Quarter-final. Stay tuned for a future update!

QTXAdsy · Nov 17, 2017

Chapter 2: Making A Start

Following their return from Brazil four years ago, the FA and SFA took note of the new techniques that were starting to appear at that World Cup and had began to adapt them for the British game in order so that they would be ready for the next World Cup in Switzerland. One of the new things they had brought with them was the new lightweight shirts and comfortable boots the South America teams had worn and which had helped them along the way, the heavy cotton tops and heavy leather boots were never going to have a future in this new world of football.

As well as their great success and feeling grateful for Scotland coming to Brazil at the last minute after many nations dropped out, FIFA had once again allowed for the 1953-54 British Home Championship to act as a qualifying group for the World Cup. With their experience of Brazil and wanting to get back the thrill and atmosphere of the World Cup, England and Scotland would run over their Welsh and Irish rivals and although England won the group and the Scots finished second place like before, this time there would be no tantrums of not going as both teams were on their way to Switzerland.

The Scots would be placed in Group Three along with former group rivals Uruguay, along with Austria and Czechoslovakia while England would go in Group Four along with Italy, Belgium and hosts Switzerland.

Scotland had a very troublesome preparation as Rangers had been planning a tour of America during the Summer and wouldn't allow to let any of their players to go, thankfully after much protesting from George Young, Sammy Cox and several of their Rangers teammates who made the journey to Brazil last time pleaded with the board which caused Rangers to cancel their tour of North America and reluctantly allowed their players to go to Switzerland, much to relief of Scotland Head Coach Andy Beattie.

As the first British nation to play on the 16th June (England would play a day later), all eyes would be on the Scots to see how well they would get on in their first game against Austria being played at the Hardturm Stadium in Zurich. The crowd is mostly full of Austrians who've made the short journey over the border to cheer their team on, however what the Scots might lack in support is helped by experience in their team with George Young returning as team captain. As the referee blows his whistles, the game proves to be a tussle between the two teams as they try to break the deadlock with both defences proving to be rock solid. However in the middle of a frantic game, Allan Brown is brought down in a tackle by Karl Stotz and Scotland are awarded a free kick and rather than kick the ball over the wall, Newcastle United Midfield player Frank Brennan kicks the ball over to the left deceiving the Austrian wall and before they know it, Willie Waddel charges in to kick in a fiery volley that rockets past Kurt Schmied, the Austrian goalkeeper, and put's the Scots 1-0 up in the twenty fourth minute and leaving the Austrian supporters is dismay. The Scots then try to put themselves further ahead with an attempt on target shortly afterwards by Alan Brown, but this time it is saved by Schmied in quite dramatic fashion. During this time up in the crowd, the SFA secretary George Graham attempts to get head to the toilet and get past the amount of SFA officials watching the game. To his annoyance, many in the SFA have brought along their families to the World Cup in thinking that Switzerland would be a good holiday for them, however the cost of seeing to them has nearly made the SFA out of pocket and he can only hope that the team can help recover some of their loses. However just as he has his back turned heading to the corridor, a great cheer from the crowd is heard and knows immediately a goal has been scored, but in his horror, it is the Austrians who have equalised in the thirty third minute thanks to Erich Probst and causing a sea of Austrian flags being waved around the ground. He doesn't go to the toilet until the end of the first half in which during that time the Austrians batter the Scots who in turn somehow managed to keep the game at 1-1 at the end of the half.

Second time comes around and this time both teams seem rather cautious as it seems like one false move could decide the game, even the crowd seems subdued by it all. On the pitch however, Beattie calls out to the players to stop holding back and get a goal. Thankfully for him, Waddel gets the message and decides to put the game to bed. The sudden burst of speed from the Rangers player catches the Austrian players off guard and after reaching outside the penalty box, Waddel hammers the ball home (while falling over after losing his balance) into the bottom right corner and puts his team 2-1 up in the seventy sixth minute. The Austrian players and their lose confidence and the Scots slowly start to take the game by the scuff of it's neck, but disappointingly, they can't add more to their dominance as they game ends 2-1 and the large group of Austrian fans make their feelings known in a almighty jeer and the Scots race off down the tunnel hoping not to get attacked.

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Just a day later in the same stadium, it is England's turn to play in their first game at this World Cup against Belgium. After hearing about Scotland's victory, the English know that they have to get not only a victory, but a far more convincing one too. However the game at first doesn't go the plan as they find themselves going 1-0 down in just five minutes and sending the small number of Belgium fans happy to get in front so soon. However the English don't buckle, they have a secret weapon they 'acquired' from Brazil, their new comfortable boots and lightweight shirts, which the later proves useful in the unusably warm climate in Switzerland.

Ivor Broadis fools a Belgian defender and makes another lose his balance all before he punts in the equaliser in the twenty sixth minute and the smile is soon wiped of the faces of any Belgian there. Ten minutes later, things get worse for the Belgians as Bolton Wanderers' Nat Lofthouse strike puts the English 2-1 up and turn the game on it's head as they begin to show their dominance. Even though the Belgians are lucky to keep the game at 2-1 by the time half time comes around, that will be all they can do. The second half is truly one-sided that it either laughable or cringe worthy with England starting to showboat around the Belgian players and in the sixty third minute, Broadis strikes again putting England 3-1 up. Although the Belgians attempt a few chances, it is no good as the game ends in a victory that England were wanting. For both teams, it is a good start.

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There you go, going for a mix of what happened in OTL and what could've been. Scotland lost and England drew in OTL but do better here thanks to gaining experience in Brazil and using to their advantage. Sorry I didn't give much detail in the England game, but hopefully I'll do better in future. Stay tuned for the next chapter!

QTXAdsy · Nov 20, 2017

Chapter 3: You're Not Going Anywhere!

When Andy Beattie was given the task of being Scotland's first full time manager, his task given to him by the SFA was to get Scotland to the World Cup, it didn't say anything that he had to win the tournament. Even after that victory against Austria, the Scottish Manager had been thinking about his future and if it was worth all this. His lukewarm feelings on the job were due to the overbearing SFA selectors, Graham, Reid and Cook who had stated to him that they picked the players and all that Beattie had to do was oversea the players and make sure they were feeling ok. Oh, how wished he can choose the players he wanted too. "I bet Walter doesn't get this," he would mutter to himself thinking about his English counterpart

Even as they had arrived in Switzerland, he had been clashing heads with his superiors and it had come close at one point in the hotel lounge in Basel, prior to the Uruguay game the next day, that it nearly came to blows with Beattie and the SFA selectors over who was in charge of the team with only the Swiss staff, in their usual neutral fashion, to watch the scene in bile fascination. It took Scotland captain George Young and several of the players to try and defuse the situation and hoping they wouldn't wreck the hotel and be forced out of their accommodation.

An hour after that scene, Beattie had calmed down in a corner of the bar having a drink while Young and several of the players kept him company. "I want to leave," Beattie sighed. "Can't stand those idiots, especially that George!"

"We know," Young replied. "Think we had to move Heaven and Earth just for us to make the trip to Brazil four years ago. But you can't leave now, we've got a big game tomorrow against the World Champions."

"I do agree the SFA have been daft," adds Bobby Evans. "They only wanted to bring thirteen players for this trip while everyone else had like twenty two players."

Beattie eyes his nearly empty drink. "They said it was 'money problems', all it was that they thought it was the bright idea taking their wives, pet goldfish and mistresses with them thinking it'll be a load of fun...even after I convinced them to bring a full squad, they weren't happy at splashing out more money. Oh God, you see why I don't want to deal with this."

"Look, please just stay on for at least after this World Cup has ended, please," Young pleads to the manager.

"Face it, we need you right now," Willie Fernie adds. "Like it or not, you're not going anywhere! Plus we can get Kirkwood to back you, only one out of that bunch we can turn for help."

Beattie sighs and looks round at the pleading looks of his players, as much as he hates the head honchos in the SFA, he can't leave the players hanging like this when they need a leader. The manager sighs and sinks back into his chair. "The things a man has to do..."

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The 19th June in the St Jakob Stadium see's a large crowd of thirty four thousand, a handful of which are Scots seen wearing their tartan bonnets or waving Saltires, preparing to watch Uruguay take on Scotland for a place in the Quarter-Final. The Scottish players know they have to win this game in order to get through as rumours have some how got out in the British press over the rift between Beattie and the SFA and the that is all the team need right now. As the teams walk out, the South American players soon notice that their Scottish counterparts are wearing boots suspiciously similar to their own and that their shirts look awfully lighter than what the Scots had last time in Brazil.

However, they have no time to point this out as the Italian referee blows his whistle to begin the game. The South Americans start begin on the offensive as they send wave after wave of attack against the Scottish defence which much to the relief of any Scot watching, holds firm. Then in the seventeenth minute, Carlos Borges races past Bobby Evans and fires the ball on target, only for Aberdeen Goalkeeper Fred Martin to make a quite incredible save which the locals in the crowd applaud in admiration and keeps the game level at 0-0. Slowly and surely, the Scots start to get into the game and the new comfortable footwear the Scots have is doing them wonders. In contrast the heavy leather boots the Scots had worn in the last World Cup which in hindsight affected them, these new boots makes the players feel like they have been unleashed their shackles which their old boots were in some ways and start to play in ways they never thought could perform. Disappointedly, neither side score and the score remains 0-0 as the teams walk down the tunnel.

After the interval, the second half begins with the Scots not attacking the Uruguayan defensive, but rather hold the ball and frustrate the South Americans. This has been Beattie's half time team talk as he has noticed a growing frustrating in the first half with the Uruguayan players in seeing that they haven't had the chance to get a goal despite being the better team. Then a chance comes in which Doug Cowie passes the ball to Bobby Evans and then to Jimmy Davidson, the Scots start playing a passing game that was traditional to the Scottish game that many of their great-grandfathers would've adopted in their game's earliest days. This goes on for a while and the Swiss crowd get bored of this sort of play and so does the South Americans in which Julio Abbadie runs towards Cowie, who has received the ball and tricks Abbadie by pulling a fake kick which makes the Uruguayan player to lose his footing and falling over.

He has taking the bait and the Scots start playing a more faster game which catches the South Americans off guard and after some quick passing further into the Uruguayan half, Willie Ormond low cross the ball over to Ernie Copland who takes his chance by taking a blunt volley shot to fly past Julio Maceniras' fingertips and into the back on the net. In the seventy fifth minute, the Raith Rovers Forward has put the Scots up 1-0 and the small traveling Scottish support in the stand celebrate wildly. On the touch line, Beattie simply gives the player a thumbs up as Copland is immediately swamped by his teammates congratulating him.

The Uruguayans start to get more frustrated at going a goal down and try everything to get back into the game with some vicious tackles on the Scottish players and the game is halted a few times because of this. Beattie checks his watch many times hoping the game will finish and is horrified when the Scottish defence is blown open and Óscar Míguez scores an equaliser in the eighty eight minute and the South Americans celebrate their comeback...only for the referee to rule it out as it was apparently offside. The angry Uruguayans surround the Italian referee complaining that it was a goal but it remains 1-0 and the Scots are lucky to get by the skin of their teeth there.

The final whistle blows and Scotland have finished the top of their group and into the Quarter-Final. The South Americans leave the pitch in disgust while the crowd applaud the Scottish players in their remarkable win over the World Champions. Later on to make matters worse for Uruguay, in the other group game with Austria and Czechoslovakia ended with the Austrians winning 5-0 and with them snatching the second spot in the group on goal difference and sending the World Champions out of the World Cup.

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A day later after their remarkable win, it would hope that the victory would help improve Beattie's image with the SFA members, however they had been lukewarm and the poor manager sat in his hotel bedroom reading a newspaper that had been shipped over which mainly went into detail over their victory over the World Champions. He starts to wonder that even if he does win the World Cup, it'll make little effort in improving his image. Just then an excited knock is heard at the door and Beattie gets up to answer it.

"Alright I'm coming," he groans as he opens the door, there he is greeted by Bobby Evans. The Celtic Defender looking like a child a Christmas. "What is it?"

"Have you heard the news?" Evans asks.

"What news?"

"The England result, they won 2-0 against Switzerland!"

Beattie looked visibly confused, he really hadn't been following other results taking place. "What's this got to do with us?"

"Everything!" Evans exclaims. "They are in the Quarter-final, to face us!"

And that was how Beattie start planning his tactics for the next game in his hotel room while his players celebrated the next England encounter.

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And so there is an update! I know I haven't got the England game written here but I have decided that as England won the game in OTL, there is no need to write out some results unless there is some exceptions. Also, the part regarding Beattie wanting to leave is true as the planning for Scotland's trip to Switzerland was something of a farce with the SFA wanting to bring their wives over rather than players. It is worth looking into at just how daft the planning was. But yeah, Uruguay are out and England and Scotland will face each other in the next chapter, who will win? Have a guess...!

QTXAdsy · Nov 20, 2017

Chapter 4: The Battle Of Britain...In Switzerland

The 26th June would see two Quarter-finals with two sets of close boarder rivalry countries, the first being Switzerland vs. Austria and the other being Scotland vs. England, though the latter was the one many in Britain was wanting to watch. Not only would this be the first encounter between the two nations away from the British Isles, but also the first true competitive encounter between then that wasn't related to the British Home Championship and one that FIFA and UEFA recognised, the later part being something that annoyed both teams that after playing against each other so many times that only now they'd even notice.

That all said, the news of the encounter brought many folk to make the journey to Switzerland by either flying or driving the whole way and some even hitchhike their way across the continent to support their respected teams. However in the city of Basel, both sets of supporters have to quite literally support each other as they try to make their way through a strange land that is unknown to either supporter.

Nonetheless, a large crowd inside the St Jakob Stadium made up of mostly Swiss with motley groups of English and Scottish supporters scattered around the stadium which leads to a strange atmosphere that neither team are familiar with. Carl Erich Steiner, the Austrian referee for this game, blows his whistle and Scotland start the game with the first kick off and the two teams begin to battle over who not only gets bragging rights, but a place in the Semi-final.

The two teams have got about wearing their lightweight kits and comfy footwear which leads to a very exciting opening few minutes in the game with the action going from end to end. For the English, they know they have to be careful as the Scots will want to win this, especially as for the Scots, the memories of the 4-2 home defeat by England in the Home Championship is still fresh in their minds and they'll want revenge. After ten minutes, the game remains goalless and the British press sitting in the press box begin to wonder who will break the deadlock with many of them keeping one eye on the game and the other in their notebooks writing down moments in the game, though the latter part has very little to report on for a while until the sixteenth minute when Tommy Docherty brings down his Preston teammate Tom Finney and the referee calls for a free kick for England. The two men look at each other knowing that pride is at stake and that anything to do at Preston North End is out of the window for now. Jimmy Dickinson takes the free kick and despite Dennis Wilshaw's best efforts, the ball goes past the post and out for a goal kick.

The game carries on at a cautious pace with the Swiss crowd, after hearing from their British visitors of how special this game really is back home, are so far left unimpressed of how much of the game has started to lose it's spark from it's promising start. Both English and Scottish supporters start chanting to try and lift their players and get a goal

Both managers are seen with their arms crossed while both thinking of a plan to get something out of this game, it hasn't been a difficult start for both managers. The twenty first minute then see's Ernie Copland, the hero in Scotland's last game, attempts to back pass the ball to Allan Brown waiting to catch it, however Copland's pass is too slow and it is quickly caught by Roger Byrne and runs with it to get it out off the English half and attempts to take a long kick, however he is quickly caught by George Young who takes him out in a well timed tackle and kicks it back to Brown and volleys into the top right corner of the net out of Gil Merrick's clutches and putting the Scots up 1-0 and breaking the deadlock.

The small Scottish entourage in the crowd celebrate wildly at getting ahead of their English rivals. Walter Winterbottom yells at his players to get back into the game while Andy Beattie yells out to keep it together. Despite going a goal down, the English don't lose confidence and immediately start to fight back and the Scottish players still look like they are already thinking of the Semi-final much to Beattie's annoyance. "Focus!" He cries out to them hoping they snap out of their trance.

England start to torment the Scottish defensive and seven minutes after that first goal, Finney misses a great chance to get England level, but instead it is caught by the hands of Scottish Goalkeeper Fred Martin. After his goal kick the game becomes a Midfield battle with both teams trying to get a hold of the ball, Sammy Cox attempts to pass the ball to George Young to get it to safety but he miscalculates his kick and it flies off to his left and right into the path of Dickenson who goes on the run with it before taking a long kick with the ball and finding the feet of Finney and this time getting it right by scoring a screamer that makes the game 1-1 in the thirty second minute.

The travelling English supporters are delighted with the response from their team and now the Swiss begin to see what their British visitors are on about with this certain game, though many Swiss are probably more interested in knowing what's going on in the other game with their team and Austria. The game has now started to light up and the travelling supporters feel grateful that the trip feels like it has been worth it and those listening back home on Radio will have to wonder what's happening.

The forty third minute approaches and England are awarded a corner kick which they quickly take, many of the players jump up trying to direct the ball in and one player does get it in the direction he wants, and it's Ivor Broadis who scored at Hampden Park not long ago headers in the ball to make the score 2-1 for England, a truly amazing comeback to say the least. After some more pressing from the English forward line, the Austrian referee blows his whistle to end the first half as the players head off to the dressing rooms. Andy Beattie looks up at where the SFA selectors are and gives them a glare, they are like vultures waiting for an chance to pounce on him. He has to somehow turn this game around.

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The two dressing rooms have two very different atmospheres, the English one is full of optimism and the Scottish one is filled with dread and frustration. The fact that England are now suddenly leading the game after being behind for most of the first half makes the sting extra painful. Andy Beattie looks at his players and shakes his head, he has an idea how they might've lost their way in this game.

"Look lads," Beattie explains. "Let's not get down on how we're in this position, however I must point out that after we scored, we were already thinking of winning the game and letting them score."

He pauses. "Get a goal back then who knows, we can win this, just don't let them score anymore goals."

"We will," Young replies. "We can't let them win or we'll never hear the end of it."

"What are we waiting for then?" Beattie asks. "Let's give it to them!"

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The second half kicks off and the crowd hope for another exciting half. The Scots surprise the English by taking the game to them and the English now look uncomfortable and the Scottish start to push the English back and suddenly they find themselves with their backs against the wall. Copland then attempts a dummy shot over the Brown which confuses the English defensive and volleys a shot into the top left corner and putting the Scots back into the game at 2-2 in the fifty ninth minute.

The Scots celebrate but this time they don't let it get to their heads as what Beattie wanted from his players. The game then takes on a frantic pace yet again as both teams seem to throw everything in order to find another and hopefully winning goal. Neither side seem to budge and the game seems like it'll end in a stalemate, then in the seventy six minute, Scotland are awarded a free kick just thirty yards outside the penalty box with Allan Brown taking it and sending it over to Cowie before he decides to take it himself and sends in a rather scrappy goal that makes it 3-2 to Scotland.

Quite a comeback in every sense of the word.

The English are stunned as Scotland try to look out for another goal but the English keep the Scots back to prevent them scoring. In the eighty fourth minute, Finney goes on the break and it seems like he can get England back on level terms, however he fires the ball past the goal and kicks himself knowing of what a good chance he had to save his side's chances.

After a few more minutes of heaving and huffing from both sides, the Austrian referee blows his whistle to end the game and Scotland have won 3-2 and are through to the Semi-final of the World Cup. Beattie let's the players celebrate their moment of glory and goes over to shake Winterbottom's hand to give his regards over an exciting game.

The celebrations also include a handful of delighted Scottish supporters running onto the pitch to congratulate their team, a photo that goes on the front page of many Newspapers back home, especially in Scotland shows George Young being crowded round by two of the supporters celebrating wildly and becomes an iconic photo for the album of Scottish football.

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The hotel bar in Basel is a hearty atmosphere with the Scottish players drinking to their victory and their thoughts on their Semi-final game with either Brazil or Hungary, many of the hotel staff celebrate the team's victory. It is noted that Beattie isn't here with the players but none of them take any notice of this as they know he is likely in his hotel room and plan the next game plan.

Just then Bobby Evans runs into the bar looking like he has just seen a ghost and his teammates take note that something is wrong.

"Hold on," Young calls out to the Celtic Defender. "You look like a bat out of hell."

"It's the manager!" Evans exclaims. "He's gone!"

The rest of the team now look both confused and concerned at what's happened to their manager.

"What'd you mean 'gone?'" Cowie asks.

"He's left! Gone back home, we have no manager!"

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Oh snap! Beattie leaves the role like in OTL, but later and probably at a far worse time. This might not end well for Scotland despite beating England...Stay tuned.

QTXAdsy · Nov 21, 2017

Chapter 5: Rudderless

Why? That was the question that every Scotland fan, sporting commentator, press folk and general followers of football in general could ask when the news came of the departure of Andy Beattie from the Scotland job. For many, it was just baffling and even stupid just why Beattie had chose to leave at the time he did for he had not only beaten England but had also gotten Scotland in a Semi-final with Hungary, so why had he left? However for those in the know, it had been something that had been brewing since the team arrived in Switzerland. Although Beattie had been chosen to lead the Scotland team which was something new for the SFA who had been use to the old ways of having a selector committee choosing the players for a game and sadly, that was what the stubborn individuals in the SFA wanted to do.

Beattie and the SFA seem to clash constantly on the team sheet as both wanted the team to play in a way they wanted to. Despite all this, Beattie had managed to get Scotland out of the group stage and had managed to beat England in the Quarter-final and reach the Semi-final where they would play Hungary and he would've thought that after the England game he could finally play the team in the way he wanted. So while the players were celebrating their great result in the hotel, Beattie pulled the SFA officials to a private room in the hotel where he hoped they'd grant his request. But in his horror, they didn't and wanted him use the players they had lined up for him, no one knows what happened next and those who were there have remained quiet about it to this day, but a shouting match lasted for about five minutes before Beattie would leave the room, the hotel, the country and the team behind.

It had been the final straw for him and the player's celebrations become sombre after hearing the shocking news but in contrast, the SFA selector members didn't seemed that fuss ball it all, in fact, they seemed rather relieved by Beattie's departure.

The press back home become venomous to the SFA and sorry for Beattie and all this drama was the last thing any of the Scottish players wanted on the 30th June as they sat in the dressing room in Lausanne as they waited to hear the all clear to make their way to the tunnel. Just then a knock on the door was heard and Robert Kirkwood, the SFA treasurer, came in to greet the players. They were surprised to see him as he had always taken a backseat through this World Cup and didn't really get involve with the players.

"What you doing here?" George Young asked suspiciously.

"Given the team selection," Kirkwood replied to a dumbfounded Scottish team. "I know it's not my job to do this but they think it would be best if I was here as I know very well you'd want to give it right to Graham and his bunch right now."

"Bloody right we would," Jimmy Davidson replied in which several members of the team muttered in agreement.

Kirkwood sighed. "Look gentlemen, we can't focus on what's just happened, we have a game out there to win. Go out there and enjoy yourselves..."

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Despite the player's foul moods, they can agree that the Olympique de la Pontaise Stadium is an impressive stadium with Lake Geneva's far shore the Alps form a stunning backdrop for this match up, the new stadium has already seen a thrilling 7-5 game in the Quarter-finals in which Austria won and the locals in the stadium are hoping for yet another thrilling match.

The Hungarians have proven to be one of the favourites of the game and there is a noticeable swag of confidence as they kick off the game in contrast to their weary looking Scottish opponents. Almost from the start, they start showing what they are made of and push the Scottish players around like ragdolls and it is clear that even without a goal being scored, the British press seem to realise that the fate of this match is sealed.

Their judgement proves to be right as Ferenc Puskás outwits Sammy Cox and swings in the ball right past Fred Martin who has no chance to grab it as that goal puts Hungary up 1-0...and they are only seven minutes in. To their credit, Young rallies the players to try and defend the box as Hungary sends not only waves of attacks, but what feels like an ocean hitting the Scottish defence. However in the sixteenth minute, Willie Ormond goes on the break with the ball against the run of play and tries to get something back, but he tries too hard as his volleys at the goal as the ball goes wide over the crossbar.

The twenty third minute comes around and a corner is awarded to Hungary, it seems to be a well trained move as Sándor Kocsis jumps higher than the other Scottish players and headers it in to put them 2-0 up, there are fears now this could be a rout.

The poor Scots can't seem to put their passing game into play as the Hungarians seem to stop any chance the Scots seem to try out, they are completely Rudderless. Once again, the men in red prove their dominance as after a brief strong defense from Scotland, Puskás attacks again with the ball hitting the left hand goal post before it bounces into the back of the net, the Scots are down 3-0 in only the thirty fifth minute and the small number of Scottish supporters in the crowd are so gutted they can't seem to find the voice to jeer their team's performance. Thankfully the first half ends with no more goals scored and the Scots leave the pitch looking battered and dizzy from the highly impressive performance from Central Europe as they look surely good contenders for winning the World Cup.

Even after the break of the interval, nothing really get's better for Scotland as Graham and the rest of the SFA look on with anger at what they feel is mutiny for Beattie leaving while Kirkwood sits there with his arms crossed and keeping quiet over this, at least he knows the players can trust him.

In the forty ninth minute, Puskás get's his hat-trick as he chips the ball over Martin who falls back trying to catch it making the game 4-0 and surely putting another nail in Scotland's coffin.

The Scottish players don't seem to have any energy to fight back and seem to accept that they've lost this game and would rather hope the game would be finished now. In the end, Cox does make a tackle, but it is a horrendously timed tackle in the penalty box and gives Hungary a penalty in which Nándor Hidegkuti steps up to take it and makes the keeper go the wrong way and putting the score 5-0 for Hungary in the seventy first minute.

By now, the Hungarians take their foot of the pedal and let the game wheeze along and the Scots are grateful for this as in the end, no more goals are scored as the final whistle is blown and Hungary are well and truly in the final, the Scots are out but have the additional annoyance of playing in the Third-place game. But no one really cares, Scotland's hopes are over.

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No hope for Scotland there, can't decide if TTL is worse or better than what happened to Scotland in OTL, either way, one more chapter to follow and then we move on to Sweden for the '58 World Cup. Let's be honest, Scotland had no chance against Hungary.

QTXAdsy · Nov 22, 2017

Chapter 6: Let's Go Home

To say the players and staff wanted to get home would be an understatement. The utter mauling by Hungary in the Semi-final had really sent the Scottish players into a state of shock but they had to play in the dreaded Third-place match against group rivals Austria (who had lost 6-1 in a similar mauling fashion to West Germany in the other Semi-final), and all of this wasn't including that they were without a leader in the form of a manager who had grown tired of the SFA's antics.

Nonetheless, here they were in the dressing room, on the 3rd July with just ten minutes before kick-off thinking over the highs and lows of the World Cup. They were in a more depressed mood as they visiting Austrian supporters had been shouting abuse at the players as they were training earlier as they were after revenge for Scotland beating them 2-1 in the group stage and in a more bizarre twist of events, this game would be played in the same stadium where they first met, the Hardturm stadium in Zürich.

George Young as the captain was trying all he could to get the team to at least improve their confidence, most of them were all sitting on the benches with their backs up against the wall not looking good in the slightest. "Come on lads last game, we'll be going home after this then we can get back to normal after this."

Some of the players give him a bored look, Willie Ormond is however is jogging on the spot and looking oddly keener than his fellow teammates. "He's right guys, there's no pressure on us, we have nothing to lose out there."

"He's right," Young replies. "Those Austrians are still sick that we beat them and seem like they want to win the wooden spoon award, who'd want to win that now?"

A few players chuckle and this does slightly ease their worries, but still not fully putting them in a good mood.

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As the game starts, it is clear as Young mentioned, the Austrians are wanting to win this badly as too the crowd in the stadium who are cheering on their team dressed in white shirts and black shorts and socks. The Scots find it strange why the Austrians are determined to win what is in their mind a rather pointless game. Indeed, it seems that everyone is more interested in the Final the day after this game.

Theodor Wagner tries to open the scoring with a volley in the eighteenth minute and while it goes past Fred Martin, it goes off the crossbar and ends with a goal kick for Scotland. Already, the Scots are playing better than what happened in the Hungary game and for some of the players, it becomes rather amusing to see how desperate Austria want to win this game. The Scots hold off the Austrians and the mostly Austrian crowd boo and hiss at their own team's squabbling of taking their chances which are far greater than the Scottish's attempts, then Willie Ormond goes on the break with the ball and stuns the Austrians after forcing the Scots into their half which Ormond catches off guard a rather bored Kurt Schmied and lobs in the ball into the back of the net in the forty first minute.

However, his celebrations are cut short when it is shown that he was offside and the Austrians are very lucky to get away from that. The first half eventually ends goalless and the Austrian supporters let out an almighty boo for their team's performance for failing to put this game to bed and the Scots end up walking of the field as strangely the happier team.

After the interval, the second half begins and the Scots start to play a better passing game that is in their style. The Austrians are now looking rather desperate as they attempt to get a goal and Bobby Evans outwits a charging Probst to pass it to George Young and attempts to get it more up the field. Sadly this great play from Scotland adds to nothing as the Austrians begin to get back in the game as they start playing the game as it was in the first half. In the fifty fourth minute, Evans makes a desperate tackle on Probst as he get's close to the penalty box, but his mistimes it as the Austrian falls down and the referee points to the spot for a penalty.

Heartbreak for the Scots follow as Ernst Stojaspal scores the penalty and the Austrian supporters have finally something to cheer about. Oddly after however, the Austrian players don't try to add to their lead and the game becomes rather stale afterwards, so much so that Bobby Evans would later say he swear he saw George Graham, with the SFA staff, fast asleep as no doubt he had found the game that boring.

There are no free kicks, tackles, penalties, fouls or even fights as the game rolls along with seemingly no end in sight. Finally, the Swiss ref blows his whistle and the game ends 1-0 for Austria who win Third-Place.

As the Scots leave the field, their thoughts turn to home and what happens next. Some have already gotten their minds set on what's next...the next World Cup four years from now.

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And so that concludes the '54 World Cup with the next World Cup to follow and I will say it would be nice if some of you can give me ideas of what I can include for that tournament as I already have some ideas of how it'll play out but it is nice to listen to what others might say.

Look out for the next update!

QTXAdsy · Nov 23, 2017

Chapter 7: Out Of The Ashes

The 1958 World Cup would take place in Sweden and once again there would be a British presence there, however, it wouldn't be restricted to just England and Scotland. As a matter of fact for the first time and rather not using the British Championship as a qualifying group, all four British teams had qualified for the finals and the British press machine would've been surely having a field day on proudly predicting that the World Cup would be heading back to the United Kingdom.

Sadly a few months before, tragedy struck the England team in Munich where the Manchester United team were on their way home when their plane crashed shortly after take off due to slush on the runway. Of the forty four that were there on that flight, twenty two would lose their lives either players, crew members and journalists. Matt Busby's team was practically destroyed.

For England, they were weakened by the loss of two international players, Tommy Taylor and Roger Byrne, however in a moment of luck, Duncan Edwards, although injured in the crash survived his ordeal and was willing to join the England team in Sweden, even if he wasn't at his full best.

His survival was by pure chance thanks to some words of advice from Matt Busby in which the Scottish manager had mentioned to him that when the Scotland team were on a plane home leaving Switzerland at the last World Cup that some of the players weren't confident flyers but a cabin steward had said to the players that sitting at the front would help their confidence. Wherever or not this steward was telling the truth or not, Edwards took Busby's advice and would sit near the front while many of his teammates went to the back, a choice that was to have fatal consequences for them as several of those players would die.

But it wasn't England were affected by this, Scotland were rocked by it too. Prior to the World Cup, Matt Busby had been appointed as the new Scotland head coach on a part time basis and was indeed the right man for the job, the crash however had injured him and it was a worry that his injuries were that bad that Dawson Walker, the trainer, would have to manage Scotland in Sweden. But spurred on by the determination by Edwards, Busby made a recovery with just before the tournament would start, but like the Manchester United player, he was shaken by the disaster.

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Late into the night on the 7th June, just a day before the tournament would kick off, Edwards was on the phone in the hotel lobby speaking to his Manchester United teammate and North Irish Goalkeeper, Harry Gregg.

Edwards had been eternally grateful for the Irishman as Gregg had been regarded as the hero in the disaster as he'd saved several trapped passengers from the burning wreckage including Edwards. "Still can't stop thinking about what happened," he mentions sadly.

"Same here," Gregg replies equally sad. "But I've been thinking, we're still here and I'm sure they would want us to try our best not matter what has happened to us, we can put this behind us and make them proud."

A small smile appears on Edwards' face. "You're right, like a phoenix out of the ashes, something beautiful can grow."

"Let's do for them," Gregg says with hope. The say a little extra boost of confidence can go a long way...

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So we almost begin our look at the '58 World Cup and although there are no matches here, some serious butterflies have happened here in which Edwards survives the crash and Busby is just fit enough to manage Scotland. Interesting to speculate where each Home Nation might end up, until then, keep guessing...

QTXAdsy · Nov 24, 2017

Chapter 8: Vindicated

The 8th June 1958 would mark the opening of the sixth World Cup and the British teams had each been placed in four separate groups with Scotland being placed in group two with Paraguay, Yugoslavia and France. It was a tough group for the Scots and Busby knew that the fact Scotland were ranked as the forth best team in the world, everyone would be out to get them. However when picking the squads for the World Cup that he was include a young eighteen year player named Denis Law, who was playing for Huddersfield Town.

It was more of a surprise when the young player would be in the team in Scotland's first group match against Yugoslavia and some wonder what made Busby think he was the player needed, however the Scotland manager felt there was good potential in the lad. For this opening group game, the Scots would be playing in their away kit of white shirts, blue shorts and red socks and they would be playing in the Arosvallen stadium in Vasteras in front of a crowd of about 9,500.

As the game kicked off, Busby had to wonder how he got here. His doctor had advised him to not go to Sweden and in some ways Busby should've done it, but his mind was thinking about Munich and the guilt he had for it. Busby had gone against the wishes of the FA by pressing for Manchester United's participation in the European Cup, and felt terrible about not questioning the aircraft pilot's abilities trying to take off in heavy snow.

Many people had died and even though some players like Duncan Edwards had survived and even making an attempt to be at this very tournament, he felt like all his efforts in creating a powerful Manchester United team had been destroyed in the blink of an eye. He was so deep in thought that he didn't seem to realise a roaring cheer that went around the stadium and Busby woke from his trance to see that within six minutes, the Yugoslavs are 1-0 up thanks to a Aleksandar Petaković goal.

"Come on wake up!" He suddenly bellows out to the players angrily who are quite stunned to see him snapping at him. He is still bearing the scars of the disaster and the players know they don't want to mess this up.

Thankfully the players don't drop heads and start to give the Yugoslavs a game, most noticeably Denis Law takes Busby's advice more than the others and despite his age, he is showing some promise as a future player for later on. Then in the eleventh minute, Law tries to send in a cross for Jimmy Murray to catch, but it goes wide out of play for a goal kick, however, it gives Busby for once a rare smile that he might get something out of this game. Despite all the Scot's attempts pushing forward for a equaliser, the stubborn Yugoslav defence fails to budge and even go on the attack that catches the Scottish players off guard with at one point Zdravko Rajkov going on the break and firing the ball towards the goal in the twenty first minute, only for Scotland's goalkeeper and captain Tommy Younger to knock it away for a corner kick, thankfully that chance of getting a goal from the corner is wasted as it flies way over the crossbar for a goal kick.

While Yugoslavia is the better team here in this half, Scotland are not exactly chasing shadows as the game goes on and Scotland start to feel more confident. Thankfully for the Yugoslavian team, the first half ends with them leading 1-0, but Busby knows it can't end like this. He didn't travel all the way against doctor's orders just to witness this, he knows the Scots have to try harder in the second half.

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As the second half begins, the players head out looking rather comfortable after their team talk with Busby. Rather than rant and rave at the team being a goal behind, Busby instead tells them to have nothing to fear and enjoy he moment as they were starting to take the advantage towards the end.

Thankfully the Scots take off from where they were before of being the better team and almost immediately in the forty ninth minute, Eddie Turnball would send a cross over towards the box in which Jimmy Murray get's his head to it and scores to bring the game level at 1-1. From this, the Scots get the perfect start they needed and begin to try and find another goal and leaving the Yugoslavians stunned of losing a goal so soon.

Busby keeps his eye on Law and knows that the Scottish press were questioning him for including a young and inexperienced to the World Cup and knows that he'll liking face an smack down from the press for his choice. Nonetheless the game carries on at quite a pace, but it almost goes wrong in the sixty third minute when Rajkov plays a powerful cross that outwits the Scottish keeper and looks certain to be a goal, only for John Hewie to clear it off the line and keep the game level. The game rumbles on and the everything is on a knife edge with either team making chance after chance to find the winning goal. With just eight minutes to go, Busby get's a rather cold chill up his back and wonders if their efforts will come to nothing, then Murray tries to score but Vladica Popović blocks it, however it is a heavy touch that he loses the ball. But before he or anyone can realise this, Law charges in and thunder strikes the ball into the back of the net when the poor Yugoslav goalkeeper is caught out by this sudden action.

Busby takes a sigh a relief more than a cheer as everyone else in the stadium does, he feels almost vindicated for his choice for including the young Huddersfield player. From then on, the Scots start to hold the ball and play a passing game round the Yugoslavians up until the final whistle in which Scotland win the match 2-1.

The Scottish players celebrate and Busby goes over to shake the Yugoslav manager, Aleksandar Tirnanić's hand for a great game. The Manchester United manager places his hands in his pockets and looks up to the heavens thinking for the fallen players and how they would think of this great victory, which later he'd dedicate to them. He is then broken out of his dream state when Tommy Younger pats him on the back with a smile on his face.

"We did it!" Younger says happily as he looks back seeing Law being congratulated by his teammates. "How'd you feel by this?"

Busby thinks of his words before replying to the Scotland captain. "...Vindicated."

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So there we go, more butterflies here that not only Scotland win rather than draw, but also includes a young Denis Law making an appearance. For those wondering about the England, Irish and Welsh results in the first day of the World Cup remain the same as OTL, though there will be some changes in each of their last games, which will be our next chapter.

Also, any ideas what little things could be added and who will make the Quarter-final or Semi? I will say there will be a few surprises here and there for next time...

QTXAdsy · Nov 27, 2017

Chapter 9: A Hand Up For Harry Gregg

Just four days ago on June 11th, the Scots recorded a thrilling 4-3 victory over Paraguay and were behind most of the game until Denis Law would score two goals in the dying moments of the game and were lucky to get that result. Still, they were not the only British team that had a chance to get through to the next round as England, Wales and Northern Ireland all had a shot of making it through to the last eight. However, they all had a tough test ahead of them with England having to take on Austria, Northern Ireland would play the World Champions West Germany, Scotland would lock horns with France and Wales would have to endure a battle against the hosts Sweden. No one said any game would be easy as the 15th of June would prove to be a busy day for the Brits.

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In the Malmo Stadion, a shock was on the cards as the game rolled into seventy fifth minute as West Germany were losing to Northern Ireland 2-1, and Harry Gregg had been in some part of helping the plucky little nation get this far with his saves that was surely making him the goalkeeper of the tournament. The Irish had shocked everyone at first in the qualifying rounds by beating Italy to here at their expense and had pulled of a surprising run in their first group game against the much fancied Czechoslovakians by beating them 1-0 thanks to a Wilbur Cush goal. They would then get well beaten by Argentina 3-1 in their next game and now here they were facing the West Germans. No one had honestly thought Northern Ireland had a chance to make it out of the group stage, never mind beating the Germans, but here they were, a Peter McParland double had helped the Irish get in front, now all they had to do was hold on.

Gregg had been on the phone earlier that day to Duncan Edwards who had been lamenting the fact he had not been selected to play in England's two group game resulting them in getting just two point from them, thankfully he would star in the line up against the Austrians. However, the two Manchester Untied players had been going how they like to put the tragedy behind them make the most of it, as a result, Gregg had been putting on a fine game and Edwards' words had been playing round in his head this whole game. Then it happened, in the seventy eighth minute, Uwe Seeler charged in with an almighty volley that looked so powerful it could've ripped the ball to shreds or send it into orbit. Gregg had noticed this had ran back to the goal line to try and stop the ball. Taking a chance, he decides to lunge forward and use his whole body as ballast to try and stop it from coming, many people in the stands, especially the traveling German support think it is a sure fire equaliser. The Irish goalkeeper scrunches his fists up as he tries to punch the ball up and the ball hits his gloves (with the force of the impact running up through his arms) but the ball goes flying into the air resulting in a mad rush in the penalty box from Helmut Rahn and Seeler as they try to position themselves into place to take a header, but Gregg knows he can't let them ruin their moment of glory like this and jumps up high as he can to catch it, it feels like everything is going in slow motion.

The two Germans also try to get in the way to try and stop him, but Gregg keeps his eye firmly on the ball not letting it out of his sight for one minute. It comes down and Gregg's fingertips gets a hold of it, but he loses his touch as he glances down seeing that the two German players have accidently ran into the side of him as the three men all take a tumble. Gregg now tries to get himself away from them as he see's that the ball is about to land past the goal line and makes quite literally a leap of faith as he makes a desperate attempt to grab the ball from getting anywhere, this time he does get his gloves on it and to make sure it won't slip, he tries to curl up when he lands. He makes though a brief glance to see how close he is to the goal line and see's he is only about three feet away, all he can do is close his eyes and pray...

He didn't know how long he'd shut his eyes for, but when he came back to his senses he heard a cheer around the stadium and he was convinced that he and the ball had landed over the goal line and that he had ruined it. But when he opened his eyes, he saw that he was holding the ball just no more than a few feet away and the cheering was from the small Irish crowd and Swedish locals who were applauding his wonderful save.

He stood up, feeling quite shaken from his efforts and was brought back to his senses when his fellow teammate and Defender Dick Keith ran over to him and gave him a hug and a pat on the back for what he'd done.

"You bloody good soul!" Keith said with a touch of glee in his voice. "We're going to do it!"

Gregg smiled as he could see the players all getting ready for his goal kick. "Aye, aye fine, get back in the game!"

Keith ran back to his position and Gregg lobbed the ball as far as he could, the Germans were desperate for a goal to bring this game level, but that save from Gregg had shook the World Champions' spirts and for the next ten minutes or so, the Irish start to hold the ball away from the Germans in making sure they don't get a foot on it, but in turn it only makes the West Germans grow in frustration as they begin to give some bone crunching tackles on the Irish players, most notably in the eighty fifth minute when Georg Stollenwerk came in with a tackle on Billy Simpson when the Irish forward thought he might have a chance to go on the break, only for him to have his legs nearly broken.

This caused outrage from the Irish players and those on the bench wanted Campos, the Portuguese referee, to take action with players from both teams surrounding the poor man. In future it would've likely been given a yellow or red card, but that wouldn't be used here and instead, all he could do was try and defuse the situation and try and let the game go on. After a minute of what looked to Gregg as nothing more than a school playground argument, Campos finally got the game started again and the tension was growing for what could've been an all out brawl. Gregg could only pray and hope that no more goals would be scored as that was certainly the fuse to blow this whole thing over.

The game had now become a battle in midfield with both teams trying to show their strength. The German crowd were booing angrily at their team and Gregg had to wonder if being World Champions was curse if it meant you would be lumbered with pressure.

The final minute was going at a snails pace and several Irish supporters who had made the journey over could barely watch as the tension was growing, Gregg glanced at his watch, surely it was all over. Then Seeler was on the break and there was no Irish player near him.

"Christ," Gregg gasped as he readied himself to try and stop it. Seeler kicks the ball some thirty yards from the right of the penalty box, Gregg dives to his left but in his horror, it goes way past his grasp and surely in for the latest of goals.

But to the utter amazement for everyone in the stadium, the ball goes way past the goal post and into the path of a Swedish police officer who is keeping an eye on the crowd than balls hitting him.

Gregg suddenly feels like he is on the verge of tears, this can't be real, they are about to beat the World Champions and he thinks back to Edwards' words for doing it for their fallen teammates. With his goal kick surely the last kick of the game, Gregg takes it as far as he can to make sure no German can get at it.

But no one does, the referee blows his whistle and the Swedish neutrals and Irish supporters celebrate Northern Ireland's outstanding 2-1 victory over West Germany. The result has more or less secured the second place spot for the last eight and Gregg walks slowly over to his celebrating teammates who quite can't honestly believe their luck. It proves that their victory over Italy in the qualifying rounds was no fluke

They then see him and crowd around him and lift him on their shoulders like a conquering hero, a young Swedish boy would then take a photo of that very moment of Gregg on the shoulders of his teammates that would become one of the most famous photos in Northern Ireland's football history. The West Germans may have won the prize of winning the group, but it is the Northern Irish who have won the plaudits.

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When the team returned to their hotel, all Gregg wanted to do was get back to his room and relax, though the rest of the team wanted to celebrate and in all honestly, Gregg couldn't blame for it. They really did deserve it though any of the players would say Gregg was the real hero in that match.

As the team entered the hotel lobby with several members of staff given them a warm celebratory welcome, a female member of staff suddenly calls out to them.

"Mr Harry Gregg?" Says the pretty looking Swedish girl looking at them.

The Irish Goalkeeper looks over to her. "Aye, what is it?"

"A phone call. A Mr Duncan Edwards?" She explains

Without a moment to waste, he heads over and follows her to the phone where his Manchester United teammate is waiting on the other end.

"Hello? Duncan?" Gregg asks.

"How're we doing?" Edwards replies on the other end. "Congratulations on that result, me and the boys can't quite believe that you guys managed to pull it off."

Gregg smiles. "Even I can't believe we did it." He then pauses as remembered England's game against Austria. "Actually, how'd you lads get on?"

And Edwards would tell him the whole story...

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So there we are, Northern Ireland beat West Germany was is actually not far as they almost did if it weren't for Seeler scoring late on, ITTL, Gregg makes a faithful save that stops them from scoring and butterflies the play off game they would weaken them. Also you will notice that Scotland won their second group game and I was a bit too lazy to write for them as I've already done enough with Scotland already and I wanted to share the love to the other Home Nations. Anyway, the next game will be England vs Austria and many of you I'm sure will want to know what happens next...stay tuned!

QTXAdsy · Nov 28, 2017

Chapter 10: Leave It To Me

Despite his keenness for playing for his country in the World Cup, Duncan Edwards had only felt frustration at the fact that Walter Winterbottom had left him out of England's first two group games because he felt he wasn't ready to be on the pitch yet. However, after fighting tooth and nail with Winterbottom, he finally was allowed to be in the starting XI for their final group game against Austria, though some would probably see his addition to the team as a desperate gamble to get through to the next round as their last two results hadn't been that good. To be fair, the team and English football was still coming to terms over the Munich disaster and the English team wasn't at it's best with two of it's squad killed in that tragedy. Their first game against the Soviet Union saw them trailing 2-0 for most of the game only for them to pull the game back at 2-2 and were lucky to get a point from the game. In contrast, their next game against Brazil was a true thriller as while it didn't have any goals in it (being the first goalless draw in the World Cup) it had been an end to end game that either side could've scored, but after that game, England had only managed to gain two points with a win in their final game all that was needed to get out of the group.

Although Austria were long since eliminated from any chance of getting through, they still had a tough team that they hoped would trouble England although they probably didn't expect to see Duncan Edwards walk out with the team onto the pitch. The Manchester United player had a determined look on his face as he had a point to prove and word had gotten round the crowd that he was playing and many in Ryavallen stadium in Borås all cast their eyes on the player who had survived a terrible ordeal. As the game started, England came flying out the traps and began to play good football like many had been hoping for and in the second minute, Edwards tried to thread a cross over to Johnny Haynes for him to header the ball into the goal, only for him to mistime his header as it went past the goal and out for a goal kick, but it was a promising start for England.

In all credit to the Austrians, they themselves tried to make their presence felt in the game with them throwing themselves forward but would get nothing in the end, it is starting to look like the Brazil game all over again. It is noted that England is playing with a mostly attacking 4-3-3 formation with Edwards, Hayes and Bobby Charlton swamping the Austrian defence. Then in the ninth minute, Edwards takes a dummy shot that causes Walter Kollmann to fall over and instead the England player runs with it into the penalty box, but seeing more Austrian players swarming round him, he takes his shot that hits the cross bar but bounces downwards over the line and giving England a 1-0 lead early in the game.

In his celebrations, Charlton runs over to his Manchester Untied teammate and hugs him, the two Munich survivors know how much this means for them. As the game carries on, the English are probably thinking too much about the next stage, only for them in the fifteenth minute for Karl Koller to fire home the equaliser and Edwards could be seen mouthing his disgust of losing their lead so soon. Still, England don't back down and they carry on with the offensive as they start to show the Austrians what they are made off and the rest of the game goes on with them trying to take back the lead. In the twenty six minute, England are awarded a corner and Charlton gets his head to it and for a brief moment it looks like it will just squeeze under the crossbar, but instead it hits it and goes down towards the left. Hayes see's it going down and before the ball even hits the ground, he get's his foot on it and strikes it home to put England back in the lead again.

The Austrians are annoyed of going down yet again but for the neutral perspective, it is turning out to be a classic game of football. The game carries on with England looking more confident and after a Austrian player does a foul on Charlton which the referee awards a free kick for England, Edwards smiles over at Winterbottom with him feeling smug for good reason for his inclusion in the team. The final ten minutes of the game become more drawn out and despite many chances for England to get more goals in this first half, the first half ends 2-1 for England and as the players walk off, Charlton and Edwards give each other a knowing grin that this game is there's surely.

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The Second half opens in a rather explosive style when Paul Halla brings down Edwards in the forty six minute with the two players getting into each other's faces arguing and only for the referee to break up the squabble, Edwards is getting annoyed at how pesky these Austrians are becoming. Just a few minutes later in the fiftieth minute, a cross from Charlton to Edwards is successful as he headers home England's third goal and surely books their place for the next round. The small number of English supporters in the ground celebrate knowing they are almost there. Following the goal, England start to slow the game down and merely pass the ball around the pitch despite calls from the crowd wanting more goals in this, and their wish is granted, but not for what England want. In the sixty sixth minute of the game, Alfred Körner suddenly volleys home a goal for Austria making it 3-2 and worried looks go around the England players knowing that the Austrians are wanting to rain on England's parade. To make matters worse, Austria start playing more attacking football and even have a few shots on target that should honestly had gone in, but the hands of Colin McDonald prevents this from ever happening, though after picking the ball up he yells at his teammates to get up the field and stop given the Austrians a chance.

He lobs the ball half way over the pitch when Charlton and Koller try to get a head on in, though Hayes rushes in to snatch it away and pass it up to Ronnie Clayton who in turn then then runs with the ball to give it to Edwards waiting for him. He is on the edge of the penalty box when Halla comes in to tackle him, the referee blows his whistle and Edwards and Halla are about to get up in each one's face to argue over the tackle, but both are surprised to see that the referee is pointing for a penalty for England. Edwards looks down to see if he was in the box, he personally isn't too sure if was but the Austrian players surround the referee saying it is not a penalty. For nearly a minute the arguing goes on if it is the right choice but the decision is still made for a England penalty and Edwards goes up to take it and hopefully complete a hat trick. He stared down at the Austrian goalkeeper and waits for the whistle to be blown.

"Leave it to me," he mutters to himself, then hears the whistle and strikes the ball down the middle and completely stumping the goalkeeper. He has done it and England lead 4-2 in a thrilling game in the sixty ninth minute of the game.

The game progresses into a slow game with England more than happy to end and merely try to wind the time down, however it becomes annoying that for a winning team, the time seems to go rather slowly. The Austrians seem like they can't be bothered with the game and look like they want the game to end soon enough. Finally the referee blows his whistle to end the game and England are through the last eight. Edwards is awarded the match ball and walks of the pitch with a proud look that he has helped his country get over the line, he then looks up at the heavens and smiles. "For you lads," he says.

On the bus on the way back to the hotel, they hear the other results on the radio (with translation from a Swedish translator on board) such as Scotland being beaten by France 2-1, but thanks to Yugoslavia only drawing 3-3 with Paraguay, the Scots go through. The Welsh have drawn with Sweden but need to undergo a play-off to make it to the next round, but a big cheer follows when they hear that Northern Ireland have defeated West Germany 2-1 and Edwards knows that Harry Gregg would have done some part in it. "Got to make a phone call he says to Charlton, who is sitting next to him.

Maybe the all British final was possible?

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And so Edwards makes his mark! The Welsh results will remain the same as OTL, though don't think I'm forgetting about them for future chapters...

Anyway, the next chapter will involve the knockout phase and here are the matches to be played:

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Brazil vs. Wales

France vs. Northern Ireland

Sweden vs. England

West Germany vs. Scotland
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So I want you to try and guess who has the better chance of going all the way, nice to hear ideas from you guys as it makes me rethink my original ideas and how to improve them. So you guys think who might win, will be get an all British last four?! Find out soon enough!

QTXAdsy · Nov 30, 2017

Chapter 11: This Time Ten Days From Now...

In the UK on the 19th June, the British press were having a field day. On nearly every newspaper, all they could talk about was football, mostly about four certain teams. Out of the eight teams in the Quarter-finals, four of them were the home nations and many were proudly saying this was greatest moment in British football and showing that the United Kingdom was still a strong nation. If these things weren't enough, some papers and pundits back home proudly claimed that this time ten days from now, a British team will win the World Cup. It was probably a small mercy neither of the teams heard that last phase as the boastful claim did sound eerily familiar for what the Brazilian press had proudly said in 1950 thinking that their team would be World Champions...

That all be said, it was an achievement for them to all get this far, but each had a tough game to play. Wales, after a tough play-off game with Hungary would have to play Brazil and the play-off game had weakened them. Thankfully for the other nations, they didn't had to play in a play-off round but it didn't mean their games weren't any easier. Northern Ireland had to face off a highly impressive France that some were thinking had a chance at winning the tournament, England arguable had the easier tie with Sweden, though the Swedes as host had an entire nation behind them and that would probably make things difficult for the English. Finally the Scots had difficult task of facing the World Champions West Germany, and it was made worse by the fact that the game against France had exhausted the Scots.

Indeed, with the task in hand, one could make an equally bold claim that neither British team would be in the semi-final, never mind the final. But for most, the 19th June was to be a busy day from North to South in the country as many would find any television set they could find to see their teams aim for glory.

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In Norrköpings Idrottspark stadium in Norrkoping, the Northern Ireland team walked out alongside the French as they prepared to lock horns. The Irish had been well rested and fed for the game and their brave exploits as a plucky little nation had won the hearts of the Swedes who felt inspired to cheer them on, mainly after their result against West Germany, which did help for the lack of the few Irish supporters in the ground as the French had a fairly sizable support with them, clearly they were expecting victory. The Spanish referee would blow his whistle to begin and the two teams began to play and almost from the get go, the French were clearly bossing the Irish around and within under a minute, Just Fontaine nearly scores but it is caught by the hands of Harry Gregg, who yells at the men in green to wake up. To their credit, the Irish wake up and begin to get their rhythm going and start to push back the French offensive.

But after just five minutes, the Irish midfield is having a tough time and Gregg looks at his watch knowing this'll be a long day...

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Meanwhile at the same time just over a hundred miles north from where Northern Ireland were playing, England were taking on hosts Sweden in Solna. While England were expected to win this game, the Swedes were giving the English a game by playing in what could be described as workman like football. It wasn't the prettiest type of football anyone would've liked, but it had helped the host nation get this far in the World Cup. It must be noted the Swedes had gotten a fairly easy group that featured Wales, Mexico and Hungary, the latter team being no where near as good as the team that came close to winning the World Cup just four years ago.

Still, with a nation behind them, the English would have to the pantomime villains in this game and many of the players knew this, they especially had bad memories of losing to Scotland at this stage in the last World Cup and many of them were certain they didn't want to fall foul at this point and do one better. In the sixteenth minute of the game, Edwards went on the break with several Swedish players chasing him and knowing he was about to be caught out with them about to surround them, he crosses the ball over to Haynes and as soon as he can get the ball under control, he takes a shot in the nick of time before any Swedish player can stop him and putting England up 1-0. Near silence falls all around the ground as the mostly Swedish crowd are not happy with going down so soon, but there is still a long way to go yet.

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While England had taken the lead, down in Malmo in the very south of Sweden, Scotland had the unwelcomed task of taking on the champions, West Germany. Unlike their English and Northern Irish counterparts, Scotland had the bad luck of having several of their players injured or at best, weakened after their game against the French. John Hewie and Jimmy Murray were suffering from problems with their knees and Bobby Evans was suffering from a groin strain, however the bitter blow was that in the France game, Denis Law suffered a bad injury on his leg and had to be taken off, worse still was he was no better and instead only could watch his team take on the Germans.

During the nineteenth minute, Busby is looking uncomfortable that Scotland's young but brilliant striker is out and had been instrumental in getting them to this stage. But regardless, he has changed his line up to have Rangers forward Alex Scott to take Law's place. With so many injuries to the squad, he wonders if lady luck will play a cruel game with them. However to everyone's surprise, the Scots having been performing too bad and fending off the Germans' assault and perhaps Busby's men defy the odds.

Then just two minutes later after the Scots try to keep the ball at their feet, the Germans punish the Scots for their time wasting and Seeler nicks the ball off the feet of Dave Mackay and makes a run with it before quickly crossing it over to Rahn waiting for him and headers it home to put them ahead in the Quarter-final, then again, football is a funny game, right...?

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Unaware of the Scot's plight, Northern Ireland have managed to frustrate the French in making sure they can't score and for once, Harry Gregg isn't acting as a one man team for his country. The likes of Dick Keith, Willie Cunningham and Alf McMichael have been doing most of the lion's share of defender the goal and Greg has so far only done about two saves with most of the shots by the French crossing past the goal. In the twenty seventh minute, Wilbur Cush manages to deceive the French and strike home a goal in the bottom corner of the net. The mostly Swedish crowd who had taken the Irish to heart, celebrate the goal with the small number of Northern Irish supporters in the ground and the players surround Cush congratulating him, Gregg on his end of the pitch celebrates too and glances behind his goal seeing the French supporters looking unhappy at what's just happened...they suddenly cheer.

Seeing their reaction, Gregg turns round and looks over to see his teammates looking dismayed and the French players relived for the line's man has marked the goal offside. "Was never offside you idiots!" Gregg roars in anger and feels probably the same as many of his fellow countrymen, but instead the referee calls for a goal kick and the team have to scramble to get back in position as the French start to invade the Irish half with Keith making a perfect tackle on Just Fontaine and passing it up to Danny Blanchflower to try and make something out of it.

Then in the thirty third minute, an attempt on goal is scored and this time it is allowed...but for France. Fontaine broke through the Irish defence and volleyed the ball that hit the crossbar but despite Gregg's best efforts, bounced down to go over the line and send the French 1-0 up. All Gregg can do is pick the ball out of the back of the net and see the French striker celebrate with the fans behind his goal. It wasn't all going to plan.

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In contrast to their fellow neighbours, England had been performing well the Swedish team looking rather uncomfortable with the English starting to show their strength. Despite them having more of the ball, they hadn't been able to add on their lead as the midfield for Sweden was trying it's best to stop the English from advancing. Edwards knew he had to get something before half time as if it remained like this, it could give the Swedes a chance they could get something in the second half. "Come on lads we can't lose this!" Edwards cries out to the players and get's a bemused look from Billy Wright, who feels like the younger man is acting more like a captain than he is.

After a little work of passing play in the thirty ninth minute, Haynes passes the ball over to a waiting Edwards who hammers the ball home and put England 2-0 up. It is now clear that this game is England's to lose now. From that goal until the end of the first half, no more goals are scored and England go in at 2-0 up, Wales drawing 0-0 with Brazil with both Scotland and Northern Ireland down 1-0. Still, strange things can happen...

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Around the country, the four games kick off for the second period and in the game with Northern Ireland, the tables seem to be turning with the Irish starting to try and take the game to the French. They seem to be trying to answer critics that they are a one man team with them relying on Gregg and each man in green seem all wanting to prove everyone wrong. Five minutes later, they maybe a goal down, but everyone can sense something is in the air as the crowd start cheering them on. "Seems that everyone loves an underdog," Gregg smiles to himself as he eyes an attempt on goal by McParland, but it is fairly weak shot that is caught comfortably by Claude Abbes.

Just as the crowd applaud the attempt, Abbes quickly kicks the ball up the field where Billy Bingham and Armand Penverne leap up to try and get a head on to it, the French player wins that little battle and crosses it up to Fontaine who charges down with Keith shadowing him closely. The French striker takes his shot and Gregg's hands fail to get a hold of it, he turns round and to his and everyone's amazement, the ball bounces backwards off the post and Gregg leaps to grab it in which he does this time and unaware of Roger Piantoni right behind him trying to get a rebound. As Gregg falls to the ground while clutching the ball, Piantoni can't stop in time and his boot accidently knocks him in the ribs.

Although Gregg isn't in any pain, it angers his teammates as Keith, Bingham and others storm up to the French player to give him a peace of their minds. Gregg slowly gets up thanks to help with Blanchflower and witnessing a bad tempered encounter of now both teams getting very close to break into an all out brawl with each other and takes a good two minutes for the referee and two captains to try and calm down proceedings. Gregg knew that having a 1-0 lead is a dangerous thing as anything could happen and it seemed like the pressure was getting to the French for not taking their chances that well.

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Over in Malmo, other than a small number of happy German supporters making noise, it is a rather subdued atmosphere in the stadium as Scotland still trail a goal down to the World Champions, but unlike the French, the Germans are showing their worth that they mean to win this game. Busby can only watch and occasional call out orders for the team as they try to get a way back in this game, he looks over at the bench and feels sorry for Denis Law. Despite his age, the young lad has been a great assist for Scotland in this World Cup and the team is lacking his presence with the Scots looking like a shadow from what they were in the group stage.

But then in the fifty eighth minute, Jackie Mudie is fouled and the referee awards a free kick to Scotland some ten meters outside the penalty box in which Bobby Collins steps up to take it. For what feels like the first time in the whole game, Busby and team feel something that haven't felt all game...hope. Collins takes the free kick but the ball goes way over the crossbar and into the crowd stand. A groan follows that shot from any Scot in that stadium, that shot has clearly summed up the game for them. "If it wan't for these damn injuries," Busby mutters to himself as he looks at the weak players on the pitch and the unfortunate ones on the bench.

In the sixty sixth minute, Mudie get's his foot on the ball, but stumbles which makes him lose the ball and Fritz Walter rushes in the snatch the ball and runs with it at high speed as he get's around the Scottish defence to pass it over to Seeler, who in in turn passes it over to Rahn, who in turn, takes the shot that puts West Germany up 2-0. Busby can only sigh, shake his head at their luck and feels sorry for the men in blue on the pitch looking dejected that they can't do anything else. The game is clearly in favour for the World Champions and while the Scots make sure the Germans don't score any more goals, that would be the last thing Scotland would do at this World Cup. Next would be a flight home to Glasgow.

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Unaware of anything happening to their fellow British nations, England were now in cruise control as the Swedes seemed to have given up and even though it was only the seventy third minute, one or two Swedes had starting to leave. Walter Winterbottom noticed the departing members of the crowd and couldn't help but feel sorry for them. He could imagine the Swedes would've wanted to get far as they could in their World Cup, a defeat in the knockout round seemed like a terrible thing. Nonetheless, his objective was to win all the games as they came and the Swedes would be no exception.

Just a little over seven minutes later, Billy Wright snatches the ball thanks to a heavy touch from a Swedish player but is quickly being cornered by players in yellow and blue so passes it over to Ronald Clayton before he gives it to Edwards. The forward runs at goal with it looking like he'll score the goal that'll kill the game off, instead he performs a sneaky back pass to Haynes who tucks it home in the top right corner of the net and putting England 3-0 up. The game is well and truly over and that goal causes even more broken-hearted Swedes to leave the ground, only the small number of England supporters who have made the journey out to Sweden celebrate the goal.

Edwards smiles at his teammates for playing as a team and not trying to rely fully on him. It does feel like though that the Munich disaster has helped him to push himself and the team forward for a place in the Semi-finals, but he does still feel for his lost teammates who can't be hear to witness this wonderful game of football. Little did they know in the other game...

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The last ten minutes of the game between France and Northern Ireland had been very tense with the French become more and more frustrated of not scoring anymore goals and making their manager and own supporters angry with how things were. This problem from the French was working in the Irish's favour with them starting to turn the tables on the French and many of the people in the crowd supporting the men in green cheered them on to get something out of this, there was another goal in this, the question was now by whom exactly.

Then in the eighty sixth minute, Jackie Scott is brought down on the very edge of the penalty box by Raymond Kaelbel and the Irish players cry for a penalty, instead the Spanish referee points for a free kick to be taken right on the edge. Now was the moment. Tommy Casey will take this kick and he gives McParland a knowing nod at their plan they worked on in training. The whistle is blown to take the free kick and rather try and get over the defensive French wall, Casey passes the ball over to McParland and catching the French off guard before McParland hammers home the equaliser.

Cue massive celebrations from the players and the Swedes in the crowd who are clearly far from being neutral here. On his end of the pitch, Gregg can't but jump up hanging onto the crossbar and punching his fist into the air in triumph. "Get in there!" He cries out, but it is unlikely anyone heard him as the cheering drowns out any sound. The French supporters can only look dumbfounded at what has just happened and don't seem to have the voice to express their feelings at this point.

The French players seem no better as they are well punished for not taking more chances and their heads go down while Northern Ireland look keen to carry on. The Irish attack the French defence and looks like it will shatter at times from the men in blue's lack of confidence. Casey attempts to get a shot on target but the keeper get's his hands on it and the ball goes out for a corner kick. It is now the eighty eighth minute and the tension is unbearable now it feels as Jackie Scott prepares to take the corner kick with men in blue and green pushing around the box trying to find the best position to get the ball and when Scott takes it, the ball lands in that crowd of borders trying to aim the ball in the direction they want which leaves to confusion of who has it, Wilbur Cush suddenly see's the ball in his way and without thinking of the other players around him, he kicks upwards under the crossbar and hitting the top of the net and incredibly, putting little Northern Ireland 2-1 up against the mighty France.

This time the celebrations are almost deafening as Cush, filled with adrenalin, runs like a mad man over to Tommy Docherty and the those on the bench to celebrate, with many of his teammates running towards him to celebrate. Gregg is filled with a delighted feeling that he has never felt before, not even with winning games with Manchester United. He looks over briefly to see a dishearten and broken French team with some lying on their back and others sitting down all looking shocked at the situation with their captain trying to pull each of the players up to try and save their World Cup.

Years later when Manchester United would beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in 1999, many Irish supporters would joke that they invented Fergie time and that they were copying what they did to win. But that would be for another time as after a pointless last few minutes of the game in which Northern Ireland start passing the ball around to waste time, the final whistle is blown and many members in the crowd run onto the pitch to celebrate that 'their' team has won what is perhaps one of the greatest shocks in the World Cup. Many of the players are silent as it only comes to terms what they have just done and they are woken from their trances by members of the crowd running onto the pitch to congratulate the players, one photo taken would be of a young Swedish man running over to McParland and shaking his hand before raising it in the air like a winning boxer.

The French players quietly sneak off the pitch in dismay, but nobody really cares for them as the Irish begin a lap of honour around the ground as they milk the moment before stopping by the cluster of Northern Irish supporters with their green and white scarves to celebrate with them. Many of those supporters are grown men in tears who can't quite believe what had just happened, no one does in a matter of fact. The truth? Northern Ireland are through to the Semi-final and that all British final starts to look more likely...maybe.

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Well then...Northern Ireland have done it! It might sound like ASB territory but in OTL, Northern Ireland had to go into a playoff against Czechoslovakia that went into extra time and did weaken them. In TTL, that playoff doesn't happen and Northern Ireland are more ready this time and in all fairness, given how well they performed at that World Cup, it isn't hard for them to think they could actually have gotten far. And yes, Wales lost like OTL and England beat Sweden to march on to the Semis with the Scots down and out. So the Semi Finals as follows...

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Brazil vs. Northern Ireland

England vs. West Germany

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Have a guess what scores might be and who'll win. I already have an idea of the results, I won't say anything other than they are both what you might expect and not expect...find out next time!

QTXAdsy · Dec 1, 2017

Chapter 12: Game Changer

Despite the disappointment of Scotland and Wales falling at the Quarter-finals, the British press ramped up the hype in the build up for the Semi-finals to take place on the 24th June as both Northern Ireland and England would be playing then. However it was the former team that everyone was talking about as Northern Ireland's giant killings over Italy, Germany and now France had captured everyone's imagination and some were even thinking that the best was yet to come. It was said that in Belfast alone that a record breaking number of people bought a television set just to watch Northern Ireland's next game against the mighty Brazil, but few thought the plucky little nation would do well. Of course, England were the other team that couldn't be forgotten about and had done better than what they archived at the 1954 World Cup and so some comfort could be made that the team had made progress, all that stood in their way from getting into the final was West Germany.

Previous results against the Germans had all been in England's favour, they had all been however friendlies and this would be the first competitive game between the two and a lot was being built up for this game on being a big clash and, much sadly to the likes of Edwards and Charlton, a lot of the build up by the English press couldn't help but bring in WWII related stuff. The two Manchester United players had to be thankful for the Germans who had saved their lives while they were in hospital and they and the rest of the surviving squad had nothing but gratitude for the Germans who saved their lives, it was a big shame it had to come down to this.

Nonetheless, the England team had a job to do as they walked out onto the pitch in Gothenburg, there was a sizable crowd of England supporters of about five hundred or so who had made the trip over, waving their Union Jack flags or wearing white and red scarfs and there was no doubt a bigger crowd back home was watching the game live on TV, all of which were hoping for England to reach the final. Edwards looked at the German team, dressed in their away kit of green tops and socks along with black shorts, and knew that despite good early results against the Germans, he knew that this game was going to be very different.

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Over in Solna, the game was a true David vs. Goliath encounter as Northern Ireland prepared to face off Brazil. Along with several of their supporters who had made the journey over to Sweden, they were thankfully backed by a big Swedish support that had followed them from Norrkoping to back their newly adopted team, however the slick Brazilians had also amassed a big following in Sweden too and it was going to lead a strange atmosphere, more so than for the Irish players hearing the Swedish crowd chant 'Norn Iron!' in a Swedish accent made it all seem strange.

The referee, who happened to be Welsh funnily enough as Brazil had defeated them in the Quarter-finals, blew his whistle to start the game and quickly the Brazilians started quickly on the attack and their style of play was very different from what the Irish players were use to by the European teams they had faced so far. For the first two minutes, all that Northern Ireland could do was try and get the ball off Brazil, then Vavá would quickly snatch the ball off Keith before he hammered it home to put the South Americans up 1-0 with only two minutes in, not even Gregg could stop it as the speed caught him off guard. Cue loud celebrations from the crowd supporting Brazil

Gregg cursed his luck, pick the ball out from the net and kicked it out in frustration of going down so soon. The next few minute thankfully the Irish managed to hold the ball and trying their best not for the men in yellow shirts trying to get the ball of them, and then to everyone's amazement, McParland decided to volley with the ball in the ninth minute towards the goal and although the Brazilian goalkeeper managed to get his hands to it, he couldn't hold it and he fumbled it and it went in for a goal. Great celebrations in the stadium for the men in green and no doubt similar scenes being repeated back home. Even after the celebrations had died down and Brazil prepared to kick off from the centre circle, many of the Irish in the stadium either on the pitch, bench or in the stands all looked at each other and wondered if the unlikely was going to happen...it couldn't right?

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Unaware of what was going on in the other game, England had been the better team so far by having the more possession of the ball but yet had to score a goal. Little was helped by the Swedes in the crowd who seemed to boo every time the English got a touch on the ball, no doubt angry after England had knocked the hosts out in the Quarter-finals, but the men in white knew they would be playing the villains in this game. In the twelve minute, Wright lobs the ball up towards Charlton who then passes the ball up towards Edwards and after dodging many German defenders, rips their defensive open and scores the opening goal. There is a long way to go yet, but it is the perfect start for England in the open part of the game.

The World Champions pick themselves up and actually start playing better, much to the English's surprise and in the eighteenth minute, Seeler almost scores but just goes over the bar. They aren't champions for nothing and they start to attack the English defensive line and the tables seem turned with Winterbottom shouting from the touchline to his players to get back in it. Many minutes pass by with the game going back and forward over who is playing better and in all fairness, the Germans deserve a goal for their efforts. The thirty second minute comes round and Edwards attempts to take the ball off Herbert Erhardt and skids in to get the ball, but instead feels the full force of the German falling on top of him. While Erhardt gets up, Edwards does not, Instead, he is clutching his leg in pain and the England doctor rushes on to see what can be done.

A worried Wright looks on fearing the worse and after a minute of looking over him, the doctor motions for a stretcher. The English players can watch with heartache as their main man is taking away in pain, and even the Swedes who had been booing the English earlier can't help but feel a bit sorry for Edwards. In future England would call on for a substitute for a moment like this, but that rule wasn't there here and England now have to play the game a man down and at the mercy of the Germans. Then the referee awards then a free kick for the Germans which Seeler takes and finds the foot of Hans Schäfer who fires it pass the England goalkeeper and bring the game level...game on, as they say.

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Back in Solna, the Brazilians were throwing everything at the Irish, but the game was still tied at 1-1 amazingly. Although the Irish haven't troubled the Brazilian goal since McParland's fluke of a goal, they are braving the storm. In the thirty ninth minute, it is getting close to half time and it remains like this then it'll be consider a good result for them to hold. During that moment however, Blanchflower tries to pass the ball to Cush, however he slips forward and this leads for Didi to rush in in what looks like a split second and rush towards the penalty box, despite the presence of Keith and Cunnignham, Didi chips it over the two defenders and Gregg leans back trying to get it, but he is unable to get it as the ball falls downwards over the goal line and puts the South Americans up 2-1.

It is not what the Irish wanted and Gregg looks back and the ball sitting in the back of the net and wondering what will the half time team talk be about. The Brazilians have been the hardest team they've come across and it is starting to look like that most predictions on who will come out victorious are proving to be right. After the game starts again, Brazil come attack again with the intend to build on their lead, Pelé fires in a volley but this time, Gregg get's a good save on the ball and the Irish keeper can take some comfort that he has at least done one save to stop Brazil.

Finally halftime comes round and the two teams walk off with a range of emotions. Gregg thinks about his teammate Edwards and wonder how he is getting on, not aware of what'd happened to him.

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The term game changer might be somewhat overused, but in the England/West Germany match, it had become apparent there. After Edwards was taking away for his leg, England became a shadow of the team that they once were as the ten man team become weak against a resurging West Germany who did all they could to try and put them in front. To their dismay and England's relief, no more goals were scored and the two teams would have very different team talks over how to play the second half. As the second half began, it started as more or less the same with the Germans being the better team in the game.

Then in the fifty first minute, Rahn finally got the goal for West Germany from a corner kick which he headed in and seemly broke English hopes for victory. To England's credit, they tried to get back in the game with Charlton linking up with Haynes and Wright lobbed the ball up the field and little less that thirty seconds after that last goal, Haynes fired in what seemed like a goal, only for the German keeper to save it.

Yes, it wasn't all going to plan as some would have hoped for England.

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If things were falling apart for England, they had all but collapsed for Northern Ireland. Just a minute after Rahn scored for West Germany, Pelé would score for Brazil to put them up 3-1 thanks to a wonderful work of play that even the most hardy Northern Ireland supporter would say was damn good. For Northern Ireland, all they could do was try and make sure no more goals would be scored. That would prove to be better laid plans as then in the fifty ninth minute, Pelé would strike again by outwitting Gregg and putting Brail 4-1 up and surely in for the final.

"That lad's got skill," Gregg noted as he spoke to Blanchflower who went over to try and give support to their weary keeper.

"Aye," Blanchflower replies. "The game's up for us, best we can do is just not make them score more goals. We'll keep the ball away from you the best we can."

True to his word, the team give Gregg a helping hand to make sure Brazil doesn't score more goals. Gregg checks his watch and see's that just something like twenty minutes remain.

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It was fair to say that West Germany's goal had made the English to drop their heads and they have been playing much poorer, the loss of Edwards has really effected them. It is almost painful to see how poor they are the England fans in the crowd stop waving their flowers and now have no voice to try and cheer their team on. Although the English defence seems to hold, their lack of a striker is ultimately been their undoing and it is a question of not if but when the Germans might score.

In the seventy seventh minute, Rahn does an old one-two trick after running with the ball he cross it over towards Seeler who volleys the goal in to make the score 3-1 to West Germany. From then on, no more goals are scored in either Semi-final and Irish supporters would say that they were well beaten by a far greater team, England fans would always think of what if moments saying that had Edwards not been injured, they might have won the game. Alas, both teams are eventually defeated and Brazil and West Germany would meet in the final.

There is much disappointment from the British press over their exploits, however there is one last game to play for both of them...the battle for Third place.

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So there we are, both British teams are defeated and now have one last game to play. I did think of having England in the final, but I thought the Semi's might've been the limit. One thing I will say is that I'm needing some ideas for future World Cups/Euros with the Home Nations in them and it would be nice if any of you have ideas as it does help motivate me in getting these chapters out. But yeah, one more chapter of '58, then we go to Chile '62...keep an eye out!

QTXAdsy · Dec 4, 2017

Chapter 13: Hello Again

While most of the international press was gearing up to witness the 1958 World Cup final between Brazil and West Germany that was to take place on the following day of the 29th June, the British press was turning their attention to the third-place game the day before. Normally no one really cared about that game, but it had a unique flair about it as it would be Northern Ireland vs. England, the first time the two had faced each other away from the British Isles and the first all British Third-place game. The lack of interest in the game from most was quite evident as the Ullevi stadium only had about twenty three thousand people to watch the game with it being made up of curious locals, several British supporters making the trip out for the game, journalists and members of the FA and IFA and quite a lot of Swedes who had followed the Irish on their travels and were here to give them a final send off.

Little was known at that time, but those Swedes following the Irish would eventually lay the seeds for the Northern Ireland Swedish Supporters Club. As the two teams made their way out on the pitch being led by Brozzi, the Argentine Referee, there was some confidence from the Irish contingent that they might be able to pull of another shock as during the that year's British Home Championship, Northern Ireland had managed to beat England at Wembley 3-2 so there was something for the men in green and white to look out for. The English on the other hand weren't in a good place to say the least, they lost badly to West Germany and received heavy and rather unjust criticism at home and their man danger man, Duncan Edwards, had been injured in that game and wouldn't be able to play in this game.

To make matters worse for Edwards and to quite literally add insult to injury, even if England had gotten to the final, he wouldn't had been able to play in it and all he could do was sit on the bench and try and act as moral support for his fellow teammates. The rather subdued crowd made the whole atmosphere feel really strange, it wasn't like what they had been use either at home or at this World Cup. The Irish got the kick off and the game began with both teams rather than flying out of the traps like they have done, take the game at a rather leisured pace. One could be mistaken that neither team wants to be here which makes for a very unimpressive opening few minutes of the game. Taking Edwards' place in the England line up would be Tom Finney and was quite a good choice for Winterbottom to choose from to help the English get victory here.

After a rather uneventful fifteen minutes that would've put anyone to sleep, Finney tries a volley at the Northern Irish goal, but Gregg dives to his right to make a brilliant save. At least something is happening now. Then just three minutes later, McParland attempts to try at the other end of the field, only this time his effort goes way past the goal and out for Colin McDonald to take a goal kick. Many British press men and commentators for the radio are now wondering if this encounter might become one big anti-climax, though some would argue that the fact both teams failed to make the final that this game was going to be an anti-climax regardless. In the Twenty second minute, England are award a free kick after Haynes was brought down by Bertie Peacock for a foul and Finney prepares to take it just ten meters away from the penalty box from the right of the field.

Gregg calls out his teammates to get into position before Finney fires the cross as the Irish wall jumps up but fail to get one head on the ball right before it finds the head of Charlton and headers it low past the hands of Gregg to get the ball to hit the ground and bounce up to the hit the back of the net. England are 1-0 up and of the all the players in that England squad to get one past the hands of Gregg, it would happen to be his Manchester United teammate. An irony not lost on anyone in the know. The game then carries on and this time England start to boss the proceedings with them getting much more shots on target thanks to Haynes, Finney and Charlton, but neither can score thanks Gregg as he starts to show why many are putting him down as the goal keeper of the tournament.

The English huff and puff, but can't break down the stubborn Irish defence as the referee calls for half time. As the two teams head off the pitch and towards the tunnel, Gregg looks over to Edwards and the two men know that when the two countries face off each other, they can't be friendly at this point until the game is over and whoever has won...

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Just like how the first half concluded, it begins with the English showing their dominance of the ball, even though they know they have to get another goal in order to put this game to bed. Gregg is doing his part however but needs his teammates to do the same and get a goal. In the fifty second minute of the game, McParland attempts at a cross in the box and Cush runs in to get his head on to it and many believe that a goal is about to happen against the run of play, but to everyone's shock, Cush mistimes his head and the ball goes over the crossbar and a rare chance for Northern Ireland vanishes in the blink of an eye.

Gregg groans at his end of the pitch, still, at least they are trying their hardest to get something from this. More minutes tick by and England are turning the screw on the Irish and even without Edwards, they are playing like his in the team and it only makes more painful for some that England could in this moment in time getting ready for the final. Time and time again the England forwards pepper pot the Irish goal but yet Gregg is proven himself to the wall that stops any English goals coming in. In the seventy third minute, the game is getting rather tense for the English as they way they have been playing, they should be at least four goals up, but the score line remains 1-0 and they know the Irish can surprise like what they did with France and there is no way in hell any of those players wearing the three lions on their badge are going to let that happen.

A minute later, Charlton outwits Cunningham causing the Irish defender to stumble over and sends the ball over to Haynes who keeps his eye on the ball the whole time and right before the ball has even hit the ground, he volleys the ball with his right foot and Gregg dives to his left to get his hands on it. His fingertips do touch it, but sadly the ball isn't deflected in anyway and instead crashes into the top left hand side of the net and finally getting a goal past Gregg to put England 2-0 up at long last. An applause rings out around the stadium for the goal and for Gregg's outstanding efforts he's out in for this whole game as he looks over to his left seeing the unofficial Swedish fan club cheering him on. He does find it nice that even goal keepers can be appreciated.

At this point, England take their foot off the gas and start to relax more knowing that they have this game in the bag, ironically, Northern Ireland start to play more attacking football in the dying moments of the game and there is perhaps some frustrations of why Northern Ireland couldn't be like that for the rest of the game. Whatever the reason, no more goals are scored and the referee blows his whistle to end the game and England are victors in this Third Place game. The Irish players are disappointed but nonetheless appreciate the support they receive from the locals as they do a lap of honour to thank the unlikely new fans they've received on their travels in Sweden.

After England are awarded their bronze medals, Gregg makes his way over to Edwards, who in turn is walking up to him while using a walking stick to get over to him. "Hello again," Gregg greets his Manchester United teammate.

"Same to you," Edwards replies. "Pity I couldn't play, but I suppose I let the chaps have their moment of glory." He looks over at his happy teammates before looking back at Gregg. "Have to say we're happy for what Northern Ireland did, seems everyone loves an underdog story."

"And you had to be the villains," Gregg chuckles in which Edwards laughs too.

"Still, I think we did our friends proud looking down on us up there," Edwards notes as he looks up towards the heavens and Gregg nods.

"Aye, but I bet it won't be long until one of us are World Champions at this rate." Gregg smiles.

Indeed, there would be a British team in the final, but for some, this would be their last World Cup as all eyes now looked towards the next World Cup in 1962.

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And there we have it, 1958 wrapped up and we now look forward to the next World Cup in Chile! Would be nice to hear any ideas from you guys of which British team should qualify and who should make the final and yes, I will say that 1962 will see a British team make the final, but who will it be? Time to speculate! And another thing, the final result and winner of the 1958 final is...

Brazil 5 - 3 West Germany

QTXAdsy · Dec 5, 2017

Chapter 14: It's A Bit Chilly Out Here

1962 would mark as the seventh year of the World Cup and this time it would be based in Chile and fifteen countries would be present...well, sixteen if you didn't mean the United Kingdom as a whole. Somewhat disappointedly, compared to all the British teams making it to the last World Cup, only two would make the trip to South America, England and Wales. Scotland had to play Czechoslovakia in a play off which they narrowly lost and they had, now looking back in hindsight, rather foolish idea of focusing all efforts in wining that season's British Home Championship undefeated and thus affected their chances of qualifying. However some made the argument that Matt Busby was focusing his efforts in rebuilding his Manchester United squad that was destroyed four years ago and he only managed to keep his job after promising the SFA that he would help Scotland qualify for the next World Cup in 1966, one that was to be hosted in England and one that they didn't want to miss out on.

More sadness was that Northern Ireland also failed to make after being place in a tough qualifying group including West Germany and Greece and after their brave heroics at the last World Cup, they sadly wouldn't be able to make the trip to South America but there was some hope that it would only help spur them on for making the next World Cup. For Wales, Jimmy Murphy stayed on as Wales manager and had done a remarkable task of beating Spain in a tight play off and would claim that he would take Busby's words to heart to help his country make their second appearance at the World Cup. England had undergone a few changes with Walter Winterbottom, in his final month as England manager, making Duncan Edwards the captain of the team and who had helped England breeze through the qualifying rounds to make it to Chile.

Much like how the English and Scottish teams shared a transatlantic flight to Brazil for the 1950 World Cup, England and Wales did the same for the trip to Chile and many locals waiting for them at their airport to greet them and must of though that the concept of two teams sharing a flight over being very strange, but then again that probably was British football as a whole in the eyes of the world. But like the other nations competing, they all shared a desire...to win the World Cup and be champions of the world. When the draw had been set, England had been placed in Group 2 along with Italy, Switzerland and hosts Chile while Wales had gone in Group 3 along with Mexico, Czechoslovakia and champions Brazil, neither group being seen as easy by most however both teams hoped that their experience would help them get them out of the their respected groups.

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The 31st May would be the day England and Wales would begin their tilt at the World Cup with the Welsh taking on the Czechs while England had the job on facing Italy. In the tunnel in the Estadio Nacional, the two teams lined up as they waited to head out onto the pitch of the Chilean national stadium. A large crowd greeted the two teams as they walked out on the pitch and there was a confidence in that England team that this could be there year, after all, they had gotten further in the last two World Cups so there wasn't any reason to think they could go all the way to the final.

Edwards started to lead the team forward and they were quite surprised to see that the much fancied Italians weren't really playing in the opening part of the game, granted they had missed out on the last World Cup and would be a little bit rusty, but even so they had a number of good players that could beat the English. Charlton and Edwards began to link up play dancing around the men in light blue and before anyone knew it in just the tenth minute of the game, Edwards took aim and lobbed in a wonderful shot into the top right corner of the net and celebrated...only for it to be ruled offside as several of his teammates began to swam around the referee and express their displeasure. Edwards runs in to try and defuse the situation and after some finger pointing and arguing, the game starts again and that offside goal has woken up the Italians as they start to push forward. Game on.

Despite an attempt on goal by Bruno Mora in the fifteenth minute, it is caught by Ron Springett and he quickly kicks it up the field and not waste time. It has so far been a fast an frantic opening for this game and Ron Flowers gets his foot on the ball and crosses it over to Edwards who runs with it and is nearing the goal, but rather than score, he back passes it his left were Haynes has been shadowing the England captain before getting a touch on the ball and slamming it home into the back of the net. After just seventeen minutes. England are 1-0 up, and for them, it turns out to be a good game for them...

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At the same time as that game was taking place, Wales were facing off Czechoslovakia in the other game in the Estadio Sausalito in Viña del Mar, but the Welsh weren't feeling all that comfortable and it wasn't just of a tough Czech team that despite pushing them back were still drawing 0-0 after just twenty minutes, the men in red had found experience in South America a culture shock. The team had made Viña del Mar their accommodation and though it did looks beautiful with their seaside hotel overlooking the sea, looks had been deceiving as the night before, there had been a gun fight going on and it made the players still awake all night with them fearing that they might meet a deadly end in their sleep.

Jimmy Murphey had found the experience so far to be dangerous and he didn't know if the firing was related to football or something else because he hoped to hell it wasn't the former. He knew there was nothing wrong about people getting passionate about a game of football, but he thought that these South American types were taking it too far and wonder if they would perhaps get out off their alive, and he wouldn't mean the group they were in. As the game was going on, The Czechs were leading the game, but Barrie Jones would get the ball of the Czech player and pass it up to John Charles waiting for him, alas his attempt on goal, Wales' only attempt so far, goes over the bar.

Charles sighs and shakes his head as does the rest of his teammates, the temperature had not been with them as well. When they all knew that would be spending their summer holidays in South America they remembered what the English and Scottish teams had said about their Brazilian adventure in 1950 and imagined blazing hot sunshine and steamy tropical weather, what neither of the players fail to realise was that May would be the start of the Chilean winter and it was only going to get much colder and to add insult to injury, many of the players had only packed thin shirts and shorts and had been uncomfortable the whole time.

Indeed for the Welsh, the country was living up to it's namesake. The first half carried on despite Murphy barking orders out on the touchline to his players, they looked quite out of it and the crowd of twelve thousand had been unimpressed at what they'd been witnessing and the first half ended in a dull 0-0 draw. The dressing room wasn't a happy place as the Welsh players all looked out of it, no doubt their lack of sleep causing them to play poorly.

"We're damn lucky to get to this point with them haven't scored," Murphy scolds them like an angry teacher. "I know things have been difficult since we got here, but come on, we can do better than this surely?"

Neither of the players speak back and Stuart Williams, the captain of this team, looked up at the manager and speaks. "We are slack, but haven't had a good sleep. If there wasn't that gunfight, we would be playing better." Several of the players mutter in agreement.

Murphy nods. "Right...so in that case, I want you to go out there and win, how hard is that?" His response catches the team off guard and not sure if he knows what he's talking about, but they'd have to go out onto the pitch and try for themselves...

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The Welsh start playing better and it does seem quite amazing what a few words can do, even if they do sound rather daft at first. Charles and Ivor Allchurch attempt each a shot on target, but the ball is either caught for the keeper or goes past the goal. Fifty minutes have gone and no goals have been scored, another ten minutes go by and still there isn't the sight of the net bulging and the crowd start to jeer at how boring the game has become, even though either team has had chances to score. Another twenty minutes go by and it is still at a deadlock, but then Williams gets the ball and passes up the field towards Barrie Jones who in turns passes it Charles.

The Welsh forward runs with the ball and rather than pass to a nearby player as he is about to be surrounded, he decides to cross it over and hope that he might get something out of it. The ball starts to fall and the Czech keeper tries to get a hand on it but only gets it over slightly with a fingertip, but it does nothing really as the ball curls downwards for a goal. The crowd get's to it's feet and celebrates not really as they are supporting the Welsh, but at the fact finally something has happened. Murphy gives his players a thumbs up and checks his watch to see that only ten minutes remain and they are 1-0 up. Thankfully for him, they'd hold on for that result.

The Welsh players walk off after full time and look at each other with disbelieve that they managed to get something out of it despite being in a sleepy state. Hopefully now they could get a result against Mexico next and hopefully a better sleep, neither of which seem all that simple.

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We roll onto the '62 World Cup and I bet many of you were surprised that Wales made it to this World Cup and that Northern Ireland and Scotland didn't, but keep a note on Scotland in future...

Anyway, will the Welsh make it and will they meet England soon? Speculate where they might end up and stay tuned for next time!

QTXAdsy · Dec 6, 2017

Chapter 15: No Thrills Attached

Following their squeaky victory over Czechoslovakia, a victory that some would say they were lucky to get, Wales are back in the Estadio Sausalito as they prepare to take on Mexico were they know a win would surely book their place for the Quarter-finals. The team are glad to have a three day rest break before their second group game but knew that they couldn't rest on their laurels. The team would end up training on the beach and not only was this good for keeping them alert, but also warmed up his players to get use to the climate out here, in addition their training exercises would draw a crowd of curious locals as they were considered an unknown quantity and had no idea where Wales was.

There was one amusing moment that Murphy and the players watched while at their stay at the hotel in which a FAW official was trying to point out Wales on a map of the world to bemused members of staff. However no matter how much he tried, the poor man couldn't win as they kept coming up with the same response.

"¿te refieres a Inglaterra?" They would say, what that meant was 'you mean England?' The official sighed in defeat and walked away, despite the amusement it had caused for the team, and invariably helping them relax more, they couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy who had been trying show hard to promote Wales to the world.

"Was a good effort, sir," said Mel Charles.

"They'll know us eventually," Roy Vernon.

Murphy smiled and looked at his players. "And I know the best way of doing that...by winning the cup!"

Several players laughed at this thinking it was a joke, but they all looked at the determined look on his face and saw he wasn't joking.

"You...think we can do it?" John Charles asked in bewilderment.

"I don't see why not," Murphy replied. "We qualified to win the World Cup, not to make up numbers as some of these other nations seem to do. Don't tell me you're thinking of being one of them, right?"

The players were all silent and didn't know how to reply, in all fairness, the thought of winning it had never really crossed their minds, they thought England would want it more and yet...

"He's right," Ivor Allchurch uttered out. "Who knows, could be our last chance to play in a World Cup and lets be honest, if the English win it, we'll probably won't hear the end of it."

Many of the teammates mutter in agreement, that had been something that hadn't thought it if England won it. "Alright then," Stuart Williams added. "Who is next to face? Mexico is it? If we beat them, then why the hell not?"

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Back at the Estadio Sausalito on the 3rd June, Wales were facing of Mexico. The Welsh knew that a win over the Mexicans would book their place in the Quarter-finals and try at their unlikely shot of winning the World Cup. The Welsh had been gathered a small following of supporters, though it wasn't the same as they had back home, still it was nice to have some backing. Unlike the last game, the Welsh were playing much better and the Mexicans looked a little bit rattled, they had lost to Brazil and knew that defeat would mean an early exit from the tournament. After fifteen minutes, Wales kept pushing and pushing until final Charles would cross a ball over to Vernon and header home a downward ball in for a goal and putting them a goal up.

Right after that opening goal, the Welsh players suddenly start to think that just maybe things might work out for them. Their style of play is nothing fancy, a real workman style team with thrills attached, still it isn't all about showing off. Despite being more in control of the game during that first half, Wales can't seem to add on their lead and rather sizable support of Mexicans who've made the journey down south are unimpressed by their team's performance. Nothing seems to happen up until Barrie Jones goes on the run with the ball and sends the ball up to Vernon who slots it home in the bottom corner to put Wales up 2-0 before the break.

Nothing too fancy happens at the end of the first half as too with nothing happening in the second half which becomes something of an anti-climax for the neutrals, but after the final whistle goes, the men in red widely celebrate that they are through to the next round and Murphy is awarded with everyone of the players that night in the hotel getting him a drink and dreams of World Cup glory start to look likely...until they are pumped 3-0 by Brazil in their final group game probably after thinking too much of the knockout stage. But the dragons are one their way...

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Shorter chapter than normal, but I haven't had much time to get much done and I hope that hasn't made this a bit of a disappointment for you. For those wondering about England, ITTL, they take Germany's place and results (other than the Italy game) and vice versa so both will be in the Quarter-finals, but different places. So here is the Quarter-final list as follows...
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Chile vs. Soviet Union

Brazil vs. West Germany

England vs. Yugoslavia

Hungary vs. Wales

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Who will win in the next update? Speculate and find out next soon!

QTXAdsy · Dec 12, 2017

Chapter 16: Like Watching Brazil

The 10th June would be the Quarter final stage and Wales would take on Hungary in Rancagua. Murphy had stuck with his tried and tested team selection he had used in the last few group games but he wasn't thinking about the game but rather the press back home. When they returned from the World Cup in Sweden, it seemed like no one all over the Welsh Valleys seemed aware of their plucky heroics and the press seemed more keen on how the rugby team was getting on and the football team wasn't even given a mention in all their time they have been at this World Cup, never mind being even an afterthought.

The players all knew this as well as the team bus rounded the corner as it approached the stadium, they all shared Murphy's frustrations of them not being regarded as such and made all the more worse with the London and even Cardiff based press focusing on England's game with Yugoslavia. Granted they all knew England had all the big stars surrounding it, but the Welsh seemed to get little more than a little article saying that they were lucky to get through. The bus finally stopped and the players starting to leave the bus as many curious locals ran up to the players trying to get autographs. Though the crowd quickly dispersed when they didn't seem to know who they were. Murphy felt angry by this, who were they expecting? Italy? Brazil? West Germany?

Still, he was sure that by the end of this tournament, hopefully everyone would know where Wales was...even if he knew that they wouldn't be playing the smartest of football.

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The start of the game with Hungary had proven to be quit a handful for Wales as the much experienced team passed the ball around the pitch. There was a small crowd here of just under twelve thousand which might've not sound that big, but in some way it did sort of worked for the players as it gave them a intimate feel which helped the Welsh players settle in more. However in the tenth minute, János Farkas managed to outwit Mel Hopkins before trying his hand at firing a long shot out towards the goal, only for Jack Kelsey to make a diving safe to his right and keeping it goalless.

Although Murphy wasn't a superstitious person, he was convinced that the Welsh's away yellow kit which they had to wear in this match, due to the Hungarian team 'apparently' forgetting their change, was bad luck. True nothing terrible had happened to them in that kit, but after that Brazil game, there was something about yellow on shirts that he found off putting in a strange way. He was so deep in thought when he didn't notice that the Welsh bench all leapt to their feet about to celebrate before groaning in despair, for in the seventeenth minute, Vernon had almost put Wales up in front.

The had suddenly opened up and while Wales weren't playing silky football that wasn't going to win them any fans, it was working a treat for them at keeping the Hungarians at bay. He didn't know, but Murphy had a feeling they could get something out of this game. Hungary was still a top class team, but they were no longer the skilful team that had come so close to winning the World Cup just eight years ago and had been on something on a decline since then. Then in the twenty ninth minute, Barrie Jones ran down on the left flank of the pitch to cross the ball over to John Charles who had to leap higher over several Hungarian players to try and get his head on it.

It connects with the ball and with just a few inches to space, the ball goes flying just under the bar and send the Wales 1-0 to everyone's amazement. Murphy smiles at the players as they surround Charles and congratulate him on their unlikely lead, they have at least done better so far than what they did at the last tournament by getting a goal in the Quarter-final. The game carries on with the Welsh playing with their boring but practical style of football and keeping the Hungarians from trying to equaliser right up to the end of the first half when afterwards, many of the men in yellow look at each other in disbelieve then towards a large score board reading out 'Gales 1 - Hungría 0'.

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Murphy's halftime team talk wasn't anything special, just try and get another goal and keep it like that. The Welsh now start the second half looking more like on the offensive and even the Chilean crowd was starting to cheer the Welsh for putting up quite a hearty performance and the Hungarians looked rather stumped at what was happening, it seemed like they didn't expect to be a goal down at this stage. They start throwing men forward to try and get a goal back, but end up fouling several Welsh players and tensions start flaring up when Ferenc Sipos brings down Cliff Jones for what is the third time in the game in the fifty second minute and the two men get into a heated confrontation in which Nikolay Latyshev, the Russian referee, tried to break up the confrontation but wasn't helped with players from both sides trying to have their say on the matter.

For about a minute it descends into a finger pointing match that ends with a whimper when the captain on either team doing their best to make sure the players returned to the game. Eventually the game restarted and Wales started to pass the ball around that was a far cry from the boring style of play Wales had been playing before. "It's like watching Brazil," Murphy chuckled to one of the assistants in the dugout. It was then during the sixtieth minute that Vernon had the ball a few feet away from the penalty box with László Sárosi and Ernő Solymosi crowding around him, but someone the Welsh forward pulled of a great move to deceive both Hungarian defenders and strike home the ball into the bottom left corner and putting Wales 2-0 up.

The game has not gone the way most pundits, journalists and even most neutrals have expected as everyone in the stadium is gripped by a sense of this strange game. Just three minutes later, it gets worse for Hungary as Sipos, with the frustration getting to him, get's into yet another scuffle with Cliff Jones with Sipos pushing Jones over in what can be described as playground argument. The referee, having put up with the Hungarian player's antics for nearly the whole game, has had enough and orders Sipos off. Despite his and his teammates' protests, he has to walk off the field and soon, this World Cup.

With Hungary down to ten men, Wales starting pushing them back with them almost going 3-0 up in the sixty eighth minute by Charles, but his kick just goes wide off the post and it is a let off for Hungary, but in the end, it doesn't really matter. The game ends 2-0 to Wales and the Chilean crowd applaud, stamp their feet and cheer the Welsh for their great underdog performance as Wales become the fourth British team to reach the Semi-final stage of the World Cup. Murphy let's the players celebrate their moment of glory while he shakes the hand of Lajos Baróti, the Hungarian head coach. After shaking his hand, Murphy now starts to wonder if they'll get a little bit more respect and more importantly, who will be their opponents in the Semi. He, his team and all of Wales would soon find out...

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Update! So sorry it has taking me ages to update as one, I had to go away to North Yorkshire for a wedding and two, the original file I had for this chapter was lost and I felt pretty gutted about that as it was a more fleshed out chapter. That all said, I will improve for the next update which will be with England vs. Yugoslavia and hopefully glory for one of our British teams here. One question I will ask of you guys is for '66 and '70, yes it is a wee bit early for that, but I'm thinking of having all the home nations for '66 and maybe '70 and if you guys have any ideas on what could happen either on or off the pitch to try and make things not so ASB.

I'm willing to hear what you great people out there have to say. Stay tune for some Ingurland stuff!

QTXAdsy · Dec 13, 2017

Chapter 17: YU Are Out!

In contrast to the lack of attention that the Welsh were getting over their game, the English seemed to have the monopoly of the British press in attending the match between England and Yugoslavia in the Estadio Nacional in Santiago where a large crowd of nearly seventy thousand people were there to watch the game as England were one of the favourites to go all the way. Edwards, who would be playing in a mid field position for a change with Gerry Hitchens taking his place, had been made the captain for the game and he knew he lad to get England into the last four, but he knew that Yugoslavia were no push over team that would be up for the challenge of causing an upset.

Despite the crowd being overwhelming Chilean, there was the odd English supporter dotted around the ground either waving a Union flag or St. George Cross but these people were ones who had emigrated out to Chile. It was a bit sad for some of the England players as they walked out onto the pitch that they didn't have a large support out here and despite some recent improvements for Air travel being more accessible, for England's working class supporters, a return trip to Chile was still beyond their means of getting out here. All that many of them knew was that they would be watching the game on television back home.

The game started and both teams had started with they trying to get the upper hand with players trying more of getting their foot on each of the players than on the ball as it went out of play most of the time and leading to the crowd to get annoyed after seven minutes of this with them starting jeer at the two teams to express their displeasure. In the eleventh minute, Roy Springett made a comfortable save before booting up the field far enough for Charlton to get on it before quickly crossing up over to Hitchens who thumped it on goal with Milutin Šoškić diving to right to stop it, but in his dismay, the ball bounce of his hands and the ball spun upwards to over him and in for a goal. England are a goal up in a bizarre way that not even the English players expected.

Rather than bury their heads in the ground, the Yugoslavs start pushing England back and the English seem to make the mistake of holding back so early in the game as it only gives the Yugoslavs a chance to regroup and attack. This goes on for nearly the whole of he second half and England manager, Winterbottom, will know he'll be facing hell back home if they lose because of his tactics. The British press questioned the line up why Edwards wasn't playing upfront in a important game and if they were to equalise, it would be brown trousers time.

And that's what happens in the thirty eighth minute.

After a brilliant move by Petar Radaković, he passes the ball over to Dragoslav Šekularac who tucks it in pass Springett who has no chance to getting it and afterwards, the first half ends 1-1 with Yugoslavia getting the much deserved goal that they were needing. The England players walk off feeling that the might've ruined this game for themselves, they'll need to try better in the second half.

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As the second half begins, the British press are already writing down their notes on the game and they are all unimpressed by what they've just seen, with the cold weather being perhaps more suited for a cold Tuesday night in England rather than in South America. Strangely enough in this half, no team seems to want to attack as it feels like they both fear that the next goal could very likely be the winning goal. After ten minutes, the game becomes rather stale and the spectators are getting more annoyed wondering when this second half will take off. Strange things happen in football though...

Just a minute later, Edwards passes the ball up to Charlton who runs with the ball as he gets inside the Yugoslav box, many spectators start to rise up thinking a goal will be scored, but instead Yugoslavian defender Vladimir Durković makes a stupid tackle bringing Charlton down and every Englishman in that stadium and those watching back home all cry for a penalty, and thankfully for them, the referee didn't need asking choice to point to the penalty spot for such a stupid move. Charlton now steps up to take it as he faces the Yugoslav keeper Šoškić and the two men eye each other as they await for the referee to blow his whistle, when it blows, Charlton fires it home right down the middle and sending the keeper the wrong way to put England 2-1 up.

This time unlike the previous attempt of defending after scoring, England don't make the same mistake twice and start pushing forward to score a third and finish the game off. Despite their best attempts, they struggle to find enough goal and their hearts are in their mouths in the eighty seventh minute when Yugoslavia nearly score...but it goes over the bar and that will be their last attempt of the game. England are victors and move on to the Semi final stage.

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As the team returned to the hotel, they all wanted to know how the other results had gone and most importantly, who they would be playing. At the reception desk where there was radio being played of the results and the draw for the Semi-finals, only problem was that it was in Spanish and they had to use a translator to tell them the results. The translator, one of the hotel staff members told them that Brazil, Chile and to their great surprise, Wales. Then came the news of who they would be facing in the Semi-final that made them excited at the prospect, neither the World Champions or the hosts...but little Wales. One thing was for certain, there would be a British team in the final, question was, who would it be?

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Boom! We have England taking on Wales for a place in the final! Who will win? I promise there would be a British team in this final and let me tell you something, it is going to be quite an exciting one! Also off topic, for the suggestions of Jock Stein being Scotland manager, I will say that I have thought about it, but I'm keeping Busby as manager as IOTL, Stein stepped down to concentrate on managing Celtic, though it won't be the last we hear of him...Stay tuned for the big match for the final!

QTXAdsy · Dec 15, 2017

Chapter 18: George And The Dragons

Of the two Semi-finals of the 1962 World Cup that were to be played on the 13th June, only one of those games had any interest from the British public, England vs. Wales in Viña del Mar. Everyone now knew that there was a guaranteed place in the World Cup final for a British team, question was who would it be. If one was to look at the press at their predication, it was simple...England. There was quite a degree of arrogance from the mainly English press saying that this was England's World Cup and that Wales had no chance pointing out historic results between the two nations being in England's favour, with the only bit of note they gave the Welsh credit was for getting this far but saying this would be the end of the line.

If that wasn't bad enough, it was, quite bizarrely, more worse from even the Welsh press! Ever since their victory over Hungary in Quarter-final, it had been reported that back home that Wales had been gripped by football fever and that the establishment sport journalists and pundits were fearful that their beloved rugby was endangered of being replaced as Wales' game if the football team were to go all the way. Even one such local Welsh sport column, which shall not be named, making the shocking quote that a defeat by England would be a good thing for Wales.

All of what was being said of Wales was used by Murphy, while they were in the hotel lobby room, to motivate his players and prove a point as he showed the British newspapers that had been sent from home for the players to read and not surprisingly, many of the players could only shake their disbelieve of what had been said, especially from the Welsh press. The crafty Welsh manager smiled as he saw his plan was working.

"Look at this one!" David Ward called out to his teammates pointing to one of the Welsh papers. "It says that a defeat by England would be good for Wales, and it's from one of the Welsh papers!"

"Absolute Nonsense!" Charles replied expressing his displeasure. "How countries do you know in which your home media doesn't want you to do well?!"

"There's one here called 'George and the Dragons!'," Alan Harrington added as he lifted the Daily Mail paper up to show his teammates of a medieval caricature drawing of George Edwards, in the foreground, on a horse holding a lance aiming at eleven dragons, representing the Welsh team and all having caricature faces on the dragons with the World Cup trophy seen in the background with the dragons blocking it.

The players were angered by this rather stupid drawing from the Daily Mail and let out their anger saying that the drawing was totally uncalled for, but Murphy heard a noise outside and could see through the window that their coach had arrived to take them to the stadium, he also had one last thing to say for his players as he cleared his throat to get their attention. "There is one way to let the anger out."

They all looked at him wondering what he meant before he spoke again. "...Beat the English and win the World Cup...simple."

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As the two teams stood side by side in the tunnel, many thoughts were going through their minds at the gravity of the situation. The teams knew that one of the sides would be playing in the final whoever won this and the whole experience had made the Home Championship looks rather less important than what most British football fans thought of at first, the World Cup was now starting to become more important in the eyes of many. Some of the players jogged on the spot, others placed their hands on their hips thinking of the situation that was to happen next, but most just wanted to get out and play.

Just then the Swiss referee ordered the teams to come out of the tunnel and onto the field. "Good luck chaps," Edwards, the England captain, said to the teams as they headed out.

Back home they would've been used to huge crowds in Cardiff or Wembley to see the Dragons and Three Lions battle it out, but when they went outside and looked around, they were all taken aback that the crowd in the stadium was only a measly five thousand, eight hundred and ninety souls scattered around the ground, with even fewer British supporters who were in the stands too. Even for the humble sized crowds the two teams had been used to before at this World Cup, it was a shock to them though they would later find out that most Chilean interest was in the other Semi-final in which the host nation was taken on Brazil for a place in the final.

Regardless of what the teams might've thought of the crowd size, they had a game to do as Edwards and Welsh captain, David Ward, met to shake hands by the centre circle and let the referee choose who was to start the kick off, it would go for England and shortly afterwards, the game began. From the start England started to play their attacking style of play as the Welsh tried to stop any English advance. Even in the opening minutes of the game, it was already starting to show to look like a good game and in all fairness, there wasn't really much between them, the last game they play against each other ended in a 1-1 draw in Cardiff November the year before in the British Home Championship.

In the thirteenth minute, Williams ran on the break with the hope to passing the ball to Charles, but instead the ball collided with Ray Wilson and the ball went back going out for a throw in for Wales. For Murphy, the game was going well and he looked up behind him seeing the commentators and noticed the chap doing the Welsh commentary for the BBC and could see that his face was a strange mix of fear, hope and unsettledness at how well Wales were going, clearly he was one of the guys who didn't want rugby to fall out of favour.

"Ungrateful bastard," Murphy snorted before looking back at the game in which in the twenty seconded minute, Wales were awarded a corner kick, the first of the game no less.

Ward took it and a range of red and white shirts could be seen jumping up trying to get on to the ball. Out of all of them, Southampton player Stuart Williams headed the ball downwards which keeper Springett had no chance to get down to grab it and the ball headed down and bounced up hitting the roof of the net and putting Wales 1-0 up. A range of emotions went through the Welsh players as many of them couldn't believe it as they ran to embrace Williams as the English players could only look on stunned, expect for Springett who kicked the ball out of the net in frustration.

As the game began again, Edwards yelled at his teammates to wake up and get back in the game, he was sure as hell not going to let the Welsh of all teams to ruin their World Cup chances. From end to end the game has become quite an exciting affair and Charlton managed to almost pull one back for England in the twenty ninth minute, only for it to curl away over the crossbar. Even Wales almost managed to double their lead thanks to Vernon, but his ball was caught by the hands of Springett. Then just two minutes later after that attempt, Edwards, thanks to a great assist by Haynes popped the ball in past Welsh keeper John Kelsey who fell backwards trying to grab the ball. Alas it was no good as England were back in the game from that equaliser.

England began turning the screw on the Welsh and their attacking style of play towards the later period of the first half had pushed the Welsh back towards the goal with nearly all of them trying to defend from a relentless English. Thankfully for the Welsh and annoyingly for England, no more goals were scored as the referee blew his whistle for half time and the players walked off to an applause by the small Chilean crowd who had liked what they had seen and were grateful for taking their time to watch this game, though were perhaps more interested in how their own team was getting on.

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The second half began as how the first ended, with the English attacking. In the changing room, Murphy had told his players that they just had another forty five minutes to get a goal and be in the final. However he wasn't pleased to see that England had not their foot off the gas and were clearly determined to win this game no matter how much the red wall of Welsh players tried to stop them. Like a row of waves, the English battered the Welsh and most neutrals would've argued that England deserved to be in front with the way they played, but the Welsh stood firm...until the fifty eighth minute when Haynes fired England in front that almost made them set for the final.

Murphy had to hope his players wouldn't drop their heads as they trailed 2-1 and knew that it was England's to lose now. Oddly, Wales started to fight back which took the English off guard and suddenly it made everyone feel that another goal was in this game, question was which side would it be? Tackles happened, fouls as well, corners and even a penalty that England think they should've gotten was not given, it was turning into a nail biting game. Charles managed to find a hole in the English defence and shot ball right through the gap up towards Allchurch who would then cross the ball over to Vernon who thumped the ball passed Springett that equalised for Wales in the seventy third minute and would've made any Welsh person leapt up with joy either in the ground or back home watching it on television.

Wales were not out of this by a long shot.

The England players, feel frustrated after losing their lead began to play quite rough with the Welsh with various tackles taking place and making it quite a difficult game for the Swiss referee. This tackling would end up being England's downfall as then in the eighty eighth minute, Wales were award a free kick just outside the England penalty box thanks to a rough tackle on Allchurch, who in turn would take the free kick. It was a tense moment in which he knew that could potentially be the most important kick in the history of Welsh football, the whistle blew and Allchurch took it...

...But it scrapped past the post and would be a painful moment for Wales and one of relief for England. Finally after ninety minutes, the game ended and it would now go into extra time. Both managers joined their players on the field to discuss the plans on how to win the game for the next five minutes. However, both managers tactics to get the winning goal in extra time would prove to useless as neither side could score with both teams looking very cautious of not wanting to let something slip. At the same time though, one could feel the tension all around as there was the odd chance by both sides, but alas, after a hundred and twenty minutes, the longest of any British derby battle ever recorded, it was still at 2-2 and in future games, it would've gone to a penalty shoot out, but instead the game would be decided, and for the only time ever in the World Cup, on a coin toss.

Both captains left with the referee down the corridor to conduct the toss while both teams stood on the pitch awaiting to hear who would win and congratulate on having such a thrilling game. But now, there was no teamwork or tactics needed for the coin toss, just pure luck...

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In the tunnel, Edwards and Ward stood with the referee as he brought out a coin before looking at both players. "We'll decide this match by heads or tails," the Swiss referee instructed the two captains. "Heads or tails?"

"Tails," Ward blurted out suddenly, he didn't know why he picked that, must've been the dragon tail's connection? Either way, he'd made his choice and eyes were now on Edwards.

"Heads then," Edwards replied, he never thought he'd end up deciding a match by a coin toss, it did seem rather anticlimactic, but both captains hoped luck was on their side as the coin spun in the air before landing on the concrete floor showing the final outcome.

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Outside, the two teams, managers, assistants and the small crowd (now quite depressed after hearing Brazil had beaten Chile in the other Semi) awaited for the three men to come back. Finally the three men came out of the tunnel and while the referee looked normal while one captain looked depressed and the other smiled as he looked to his teammates and said one world that they knew they'd be playing in the final.

"Tails!"

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Would you look at that, Wales are in the final! Sorry for my English readers reading this but don't worry, your time will come! Alas, next update will be the final with Wales and Brazil...that just sounds daft now, doesn't it? Still I bet we're all looking forward for '66 I presume? Hang about for the next update!

QTXAdsy · Dec 18, 2017

Chapter 19: Time For Heroes

It was time for the 1962 World Cup final and it would be Brazil that the Welsh would face off in Santigo's Estadio Nacional on the 17th June. It was expected that nearly 70,000 spectators would be cramped into the stadium and the huge size of the crowd is a contrast to the rather cosy and humbling crowds that Wales have been use to where sometimes pelicans would be perched on the perimeter wall. The British press, who had all expected England to beat Wales in the Semi-final, have been swarming the Welsh team from the moment they left their hotel and, in some ways, trying to cover up their embarrassing bold predictions of an England victory.

The thought of playing Brazil for the second time is somewhat diluted by the absence of their two most important players: Pelé, who has missed out on most of the World Cup due a groin strain, and Garrincha, who was dismissed in the Semi-final and has been suspended for the final. This news gives Murphy food for thought as they just might have a chance to rip the World Cup out of Brazil's hands, the thought of Wales becoming World Champions sounds absolutely crazy, but yet, here they were from perhaps turning the world on it's head.

As the team bus approaches on it's final way towards the stadium, the players have been wondering the whole time while on the bus of how they'll cope from being use to be playing to small crowds of interested locals to a mammoth one here that was expected and one that would likely cheer on their South American neighbours. Everyone is rather quiet as this is a trip into the unknown that no British player has ever gotten this far and as the bus get's closer to the stadium, it slows to a crawl due to hundreds of Chilean locals cramming the streets trying to get a glimpse of the Welsh players, in which the team smile and wave at them.

For the people of this poverty-stricken country, which is still recovering from the Valdivia earthquake of 1960, the World Cup has brought a much needed welcome of fun and excitement which is just what the people need to distract them from their daily struggles. Murphy wonders how everyone will watch the game on television at home as they came back home from the last tournament to a bemused Wales that had no idea of their heroics. Regardless, here they were about to play in the World Cup final...no pressure there.

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Half an hour till kick off and the Welsh dressing room and Murphy decides to leave the players to get on with their own business, though he is secretly feeling annoyed at the delay of not getting the Brazilian team sheet by now and is off to try and find someone who can tell him what's going on. A Chilean FA man see's Murphy coming down the corridor and scurries away with a look that seems to read 'I've nothing to do with this', that already gives the game away to Murphy that something is up and tries to find an English speaker. Among everyone the officials milling around the area outside the dressing rooms, he is surprised to face to face with Matt Busby, Scotland manager.

"Busby?" Murphy asks dumbfounded, Scotland hadn't qualified so why had he found his manager of Manchester United out here?

"Weren't expecting me?" Busby replies with his hands in his pockets as a random member of some FA comes walking past them. "I heard you guys made it to the final and had to come out here to see history being made by my assistant."

The Welsh manager was dumbfounded and couldn't find the words what to say next. "Um...thank you, but, I was looking for a--"

"Team sheet?" Busby interrupts. "Aye, I've not seen the actual team on paper but...you're not going to like this." The Scotland manager looked uncomfortable as he ended his sentence.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Garrincha is in the Brazil selection."

There is a long silence from the two men as they stare at each other as the only sound of chatting is members from other FA members in the area. Finally, Murphy speaks. "What? He sent off in the last game, he can't play in the final."

"Indeed," Busby agrees. "I can't find anyone from the Welsh FA here, only members from the other British FA's are here and I doubt any of them can help us. We can't go against FIFA, and if we did decide the withdraw at this moment in protest, there would be a riot, our names would be dirty and I'm sure as hell they'd happily give the cup to Brazil."

Murphy sighs sadly as he shakes his head. "Yeah...but imagine if it was happening the other way round, you'd think the Brazilians would take this lying down?"

"No, I doubt they would," Busby replies. "But we can't complain, you have to get out there and win."

As it would transpire, Busby and the other British FA's in attending the final to wish Wales well had all been informed that Garrincha would play and despite their horror at wanting FIFA to stop this from happening, they were all given warnings that if the British were kick up a fuss about it, the British teams would face a bad from world football. Worst still was that the four associations faced the prospect of losing their positions on FIFA's international board, it would be a infamous moment in history for the British to see some of the questiobale work that the South Americans did for FIFA, ironically former SFA Secretary George Graham had not wanted Scotland to go to the 1950 World Cup because of some of the alleged stories from the South American countries, and now, it seemed that his views were somewhat vindicated.

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Just eight minutes to go until they have to be out on the pitch, the Welsh players are all preparing final checks to make sure they are ready to head out and face their destiny. They have been spurred on with messages of support from Harold Macmillan and Henry Brooke, the Prime Minster and Secretary of state for Wales respectably, the Royal Family also gave a message of support to wish them well as too were the clubs that each of the players played with, Plaid Cymru not surprisingly also gave them an rather gushing letter of support hoping that their victory would put Wales on the World stage and eventually independence for Wales...one that the players probably wisely kept their head down and didn't want to drag politics into football.

There were other letters of support from a wide range of people from their families, friends, teammates, humble working class people right up to the upper class and each of the letters were all stuck up all along the dressing room walls and it was a comfort that there people out there looking out for them. Just then the door opened and in stepped Murphy himself looking both disappointed by determined and he stood there in the middle of the room silently until his players had stopped all their discussing with each other as they all turned to look up at their manager.

Murphy stood there in the middle of the room with his hands in coat pockets and looked round at his players with a small smile. "Well then," he finally spoke, "You've done rather well to get this far and it seems everyone hasn't forgotten about us." He pointed out and the letters on the wall before carrying on. "But, I do bring some bad news, the Brazilians are cheating by bringing on that Garrincha, remember that he should've been suspended? There is nothing we can do to stop that from happening."

As he expected, the players started to let their feelings known by angrily complaining about this stupid choice that had happened. "BUT!" Murphy barked to let himself be heard by his players. "They may win that battle, but the war isn't won, it's the final in which we'll show them the error of their cheating ways, beat them out there and ripped that cup from their hands!"

He paused impressively and looked over to David Ward sitting in the corner and from his large coat pocket, he threw over the captain's armband to the Cardiff City Midfielder. Ward stared at the armband and looked up at the manager before Murphey carried on speaking. "Go on Dai," he spoke to him by his Welsh name. "I want you to lead the boys out and to glory, for Wales..." He then clapped his hands together before he yelled, "COME ON!"

This made his players roar with encouragement as they ran out of the room to head towards the tunnel, but not before each of them gave a random letter a little pat for luck as they left. It was time for heroes.

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From the subterranean dressing rooms and tunnel, the two teams emerge out into the sunshine to a roar of excitement from the 70,000 something souls waiting to see a historic football match. Some hundred or so photographers and taking many shots of the teams, but mostly of Brazil. The Welsh are not use to this attention and after they have their team photo taken, the photographers head straight towards the Brazilians, it is clear who everyone wants to win and the men in red are sadly not the star attraction. Ward and Brazilian captain Mauro Ramos meet in the circle with the referee and shake hands, though Ward is sure he can help his teammates make a huge upset.

As the game begins, it is a frantic and mad game with Welsh's British style of attack play clashing with the Brazilians slinky style of play making for an interesting contest and even after fourteen minutes, the crowd are enjoying their money's worth already. Then a minute later, Charles evades a flailing boot and nicks it to George Williams, on the edge of the Brazil eighteen-yard box. Allchurch darts into the penalty area, the ball on his left foot and only Djalma, the right-back, is in place to make a challenge, which he does, just as Allchurch lifts a flicked precise ball into the path of Vernon in which he thumps the ball past Brazilian keeper Gylmar dos Santos into the far corner of the net.

As one, the stadium rise to acclaim an exceptional goal from an unlikely team. Incredibly, Wales are 1-0 up in the final against the World Champions. The Welsh have taken the game to the Brazilians and they have made their claim that they have a point to prove to the South American giants. However, like pulling on a sleeping animal's tail, the men in yellow strike back in fine fashion just two minutes later when Amarildo get's past Williams and outwits the Welsh defence to fire in a wonderful goal that helps the Brazilians draw level. After that goal, the game carries on with both teams trying to find more of the ball than trying to find another goal in this and in one attempt in the twenty fifth minute, Alan Harrington brings down Garrincha and the Welshman gives the Brazilin a dirty glare as Brazil are award a corner which in the end comes to nothing.

It is clear that Garrincha is becoming a punch bag that the Welsh want to get into for him playing in this game. After some poor shots on target and some cynical fouls, the first half ends 1-1 and both teams, as well as possibly the crowd, are breathless from such a exciting display, who knows what the second half would bring.

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Disappointedly for the neutrals, the second half doesn't have the same flair of excitement as what the first half did with both teams playing more steady this time in a waiting attempt to try and pounce on the other team, then again it was always going to be hard to match the excitement of the first half no matter what. In the fifty second minute, Vavá tries a neat little curl for a shot on goal, but instead it is caught by the hands of Kelsey, he himself has been having a hell of a game for his country and probably wonders what bonus the players might get if they win the final.

Alas money is not on the mind on Murphy as he stands on the touchline with his arms crossed and watched the game unfold, credit to his players, they were pushing the Brazilians back and it seems that the world champions weren't expecting the firepower of the plucky Welsh. Then in the sixty third minute, George Williams noticed a hole in the Brazilian defence and thought there was a chance to strike home with a volley. It all seems to go all slow motion then when to his, and everyone else's amazement, the ball hits the cross bar and bounces downward and land on the goal line when it seems that Wales have gone 2-1 up and Williams, filled with unbridle joy as he rushes over to celebrate with his teammates, however confusion follows with some of the Brazilian defenders, especially the keeper claim the ball didn't go over the line.

The crowd grow visibly quiet as the Russian referee runs over towards, rather ironically, a Scottish lines man named Bobby Davidson who was the one nearest the goal and the two men conform with each other to decide if the goal should count. After what feels like an age of waiting, the two men end their talk and the referee points not at the centre circle, but for a goal kick! This causes many angry Welsh players to run up towards the referee to express their feelings at him and to make matters worse, years later when footage of the goal is looked again, it shows that the ball did cross the line and that Wales should've got the goal and were robbed of it. And for the Scottish linesman? Well, little was anyone to know at that time that this moment would mark as the start of an increased rivalry between the Welsh and the Scots.

Some of the crowd, that did quite clearly see the ball cross the line let out a roar of approval at the decision and feel sorry for the Welsh. No doubt many back home in Wales watching it on television would've been shouting abuse for such a stupid choice. From that moment onwards, Brazil start attacking more and Wales are pushed back, with their heads down. The Brazilians keep pushing them back trying to find a goal, but the red wall of the Welsh won't let any goals go in. The game is becoming a truly tense for all concern with the score still at 1-1 with the game slowly becoming a more bad tempered affair with fouls flying in and the game stop and starting. Finally in the seventy eighth minute, Vavá get's through the Welsh defence and with a cheeky chip over Kelsey, making him fall on his back, Brazil now go 2-1 up and after that, there are no more goals scored.

Brazil are champions for the second time in a row and the Welsh players are all gutted either lying on the field or in sense of disbelieve. That 'ghost goal' being a turning point in the game and one that many Welsh fan will look back with anger that they were cheated out of winning the World Cup. Murphy, emotional after what has happened, heads out on the field to comfort his players and orders them to gather round in a huddle. Despite what has happened, the Welsh can be proud at what they have done and they know that this experience will only help this group of players even more for the next world cup in England in four years time, and one that the other British teams will want to do well in, but for Murphy, he looks up at the Chilean sky and reflects over what he has done, but fears that this might've been his last chance for glory for Wales.

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Poor Wales, alas, they did everyone proud. And yes, you'll be interested to see how the Scottish/Welsh rivalry will go from here and there will be some juicy encounters later on, but for now, it'll be time for 1966 and all that. For this all the Home Nations will be involved and I would like for you all the predict who will do the best and yes, its the one World Cup you've all been wanting to see and a TL that is something that has so much potential for all the British teams to start at. Alas, stay tuned for 1966!

QTXAdsy · Dec 19, 2017

Chapter 20: The Gang's All Here

When England was chosen to host the 1966 World Cup finals, it was one that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland simply had to qualify otherwise a chance for all four British teams to play at a World Cup on home soil was simply a chance neither could afford to miss. As hoped, the three neighbouring teams all managed to join England and many of their supporters could hardly wait as they had booked hotels, B&B's and anywhere they could stay all over England for their summer holidays. That said, the groups weren't easy for either team.

England were in Group 1 along with Uruguay, Mexico and France.

Northern Ireland would be in Group 2 with West Germany, Spain and Argentina.

Wales were placed in Group 3 with Hungary, Bulgaria and fellow finalists and World Champions, Brazil.

Scotland were placed in Group 4 with The Soviet Union, Chile and North Korea.

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After England had began the World Cup with a poor 0-0 draw with Uruguay at Wembley on the 11th July, most British eyes turned towards Northern Ireland the day after as they began their World Cup in Sheffield playing West Germany. Sadly, things were worse for the Irish as the Germans ripped them apart in a 5-1 mauling with George Best scoring in the ninth minute and thinking glory would come for them, only from then afterwards to go downhill afterwards for Bertie Peacock's men as the Germans showed their worth as one of the favourites. A sad sight for the large traveling Irish support, as well as the small Irish community in Sheffield, who had waited all summer for their wee country to win, not lose like this.

The following day, Wales and Scotland would play Hungary and Chile respectably and after the poor results from England and Northern Ireland, some feared that the hype surrounding the Home Nations playing in this World Cup would become a damp squid. It was now down to the Scots and Welsh to try and salvage some British pride and for their large traveling support that had followed them. Now it was time.

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After their brave heroics in the last World Cup, a few eyes were trained on the Welsh if they could repeat their run and how their new manager, Dave Bowen, would perform. As the team bus approached Old Trafford where they'd begin their World Cup campaign, the new Wales manager was reading the Daily Mail with a column saying that Murphy would be a hard act to follow and anyone who wanted to try and match that were nothing but foolish to suggest that anyone could do it. Bowen sighed as he read the paper, since taken over the job after Murphey left just two years ago, the pressure to try and match that was something that made him uncomfortable, and the less said about the pressure and demand to qualify for this World Cup the better.

Thankfully, he and his players had done just that and had caused an upset by knocking out a much fancied Portugal in the qualifying rounds and that task of getting to the World Cup was one he could take his mind off. Outside the bus, many Welsh fans waving Red Dragon flags greeted them as they got nearer and Bowen looked back seeing the players waving outside to their fans and couldn't but smile at them. Most of the squad from the last World Cup was here and one great boost for them was than John Charles had not decided to retire from international duty as Charles had thought the year before would be a good time for him to leave, however after they qualified for the World Cup, he decided to make this World Cup his finale.

"Just think that were in Cardiff," Alan Jarvis remarked as he looked down at the hordes of Welsh fans making their way to the stadium.

"At least we have that big support to help us unlike in Chile," John Charles noted. "I'm sure we can get a victory here today."

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Similar scenes where repeated in the North East of England as the Scotland players were getting off the bus as they made their way into Roker Park, however along with the large Scottish support, many local Sunderland fans had also gathered to welcome back their star player, Jim Baxter, who was more than happy to sign autographs to his fans. Matt Busby then got of the bus and looked around at all the fans all cramped together trying to get a good view of their heroes, it did impress him time and time again just how passionate their fans where and would follow Scotland everywhere they went.

Also getting of the bus was Busby new assistant coach, Celtic manager Jock Stein. After Scotland failed to qualify for the last World Cup, Stein had been the favourite to replace Busby, however even he had said that even if he had been given the Scotland job, he would've eventually falling out of favour with it as he was determined to focus more work in his Celtic squad. That all said, he was happy enough to act as Busby's number two for the Scotland team and had helped supply the team with a number of Celtic players for the World Cup.

None of the Scotland contingent there had time to spend more time with the fans as a couple of policemen there informed them to get inside due to a fear of a crowd crush. As they went inside, Baxter being the joker as he was, milked the moment for the Sunderland locals there before in a rather amusing comedic moment, when Billy Bremner had yank the Sunderland player through the door. That all said, now was the time for Scotland to show their worth at this World Cup.

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Over in Manchester, the Welsh players walked out alongside their Hungary opponents with about 40,000 supporters in the ground, a lot of them were Welsh supporters along with the local Manchester crowd, cheering on their team to do the work for them. Bowen felt like getting a win in your first game in the group stage was always important as it would set one up for the rest of the tournament and the Hungarians were not to be taking lightly. Straight from the first whistle and from the centre circle, Allchurch, rather than passing it to Vernon, he instead passes the ball backwards to a waiting Alan Durban and this catches the Hungarian defence completely off guard and before anyone knows it, he cross it over to Cliff Jones who is waiting out the eighteen yard area before striking it home putting Wales a goal up in under a minute and sending their fans into fits of joy.

They start of this World Cup with a bang and some supporters haven't even gotten into the ground yet when that goal happens. What ever tactics Hungary might've had are up in smoke as Wales start toying with them and outplay them on almost every position on the park, their experience from the last World Cup is paying off and are showing everyone that they are no one trick pony team. Twenty one minutes later from that first goal, another is scored for Wales (one that becomes the goal of the tournament) as Vernon struck home a wonderful volley from almost the half way line that the Hungarian keeper has no chance to catch that flying ball. 2-0 up in under twenty five minutes and this Welsh team is flying like nothing ever seen from any Welsh side and Bowen is happy that the best possible start has happened for his side and takes comfort in listening to the crowd chant 'Easy! Easy!' down at the poor Hungarian players.

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Up in Sunderland, Roker Park looked something like a mini Hampden Park with most of the crowd being Scottish and waved their flags and tartan scarfs in the air, the number of Chilean supporters in the ground are feeling quite daunted by the chanting from the Scottish fans and the odd Sunderland local in to watch the game. However while the Scottish fans were pretty much winning the battle in the stands for the most noise, the team had been rather poor and after just thirty minutes, the game was still tied at 0-0. As Chile tried all they could to take the lead, the loud Scottish supports was growing more and more silent as fear started to grip them.

Busby yelled orders out for his players to get into the game, they had foolish underestimated the South Americans being any threat to them. Then just six minutes later, Bremner performs a wonderful tackle on Pedro Araya before quickly passing the ball up towards Bobby Murdoch and crossing it up towards Jimmy Johnston who runs with the ball right inside the penalty box before he passes it over to his right for Denis Law to send it right into the top left hand corner of the net and sending Scotland into the lead. The tartan hordes in the stands roar with celebration with both joy and relief that they have gotten themselves in front and from the Scottish bench, Stein smiles that his Celtic players helped to get that opening goal.

From then on, Scotland start playing better and almost go further in front thanks to some attempts of goal, alas no more is scored in the first half and for Scotland and Wales, they head off at the break leading in their respected games.

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In a classic game of two halves, Hungary in the second half appear very different to that rather unfortunate team in the first and start taking the game to Wales and at one point in the fifty fifth minute, Antal Nagey almost pulls a goal back for Hungary and Gary Sprake has to make a frantic save to stop Hungary scoring. The Hungarians try everything they can to get back into the game but Wales manage to regroup and start playing with more determination that they showed in the first half. However disaster strikes in the sixty sixth minute when Charles is brought down by Sándor Mátrai and although he get's up, he looks like he's in pain as he motions for attention from the Welsh bench.

To most of the team's horror, it is feared that Charles has pulled a hamstring and has to go off for his own good with Wales down to just ten men. This causes the Welsh to lose their nerve slightly as they desperately try to keep themselves with Bowen yelling at the players.

"Show them what we can do!" Bowen shouts as he points the players towards the Hungarian goal and for them to score, though privately, he is gutted and Charles being out for the rest of the tournament.

Then in a moment of magic in the seventy first minute, Frank Rankmore runs with the ball towards the eighteen yard box, while avoiding Hungary defenders, passes it quickly towards Allchurch who takes the ball into the penalty box and after deceiving the keeper by going round him, he taps the ball in to put Wales 3-0 and eventually win their first game of the 1966 World Cup, but possibly at a great cost...

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Unaware of the score at the Wales game, all Scottish eyes were glued on the game at Roker Park with many biting their nails with the game still 1-0 with seventy eight minutes played and many Scots watching knowing that Chile have been playing a good game and in many ways deserve a goal for their efforts. In that moment Denis Law tries to fire a shot on goal, however the ball is punched away by Adán Godoy and instead of falling towards one of his teammates, the ball ends up towards Dave Smith and the Rangers midfielder passes the ball up towards Baxter and with a great header, he puts Scotland 2-0 and the crowd let out another roar of joy.

Baxter runs over to celebrate with a small cluster of Sunderland local girls in the stand behind the goal and practically dives in to embrace them. The hero of Roker Park for this part of Wearside basks in the glory as Scotland have surely got this game in the bag. After a brief Chile comeback, Scotland hold off the South Americans right up to the final whistle to claim the victory. While they won, it hasn't been a vintage Scottish performance and Busby knows this as he heads out onto the field to congratulate his players. Stein is no different as he heads out to meet with his Celtic players and give them a stern talking to about how slack they played for most of the game.

Regardless for the wider British public, they have brought joy to two otherwise poor results from England and Northern Ireland. Now it would the second set of group games and the ones that would make or break any of the Home Nations' chances.

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And so it is 1966 and a very British World Cup it is too. Was a bit of a pain to wright this as I have been down with a slight flu, but the good thing is I managed to get this out of the way. Anyway, England's results in the group I won't touch and will remain the same as OTL, but have any of you any ideas how Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland's chances are in this World Cup? Would be good to hear what you think as I am thinking of several little moments of controversy here. So anyway, what'd you think so far?

All To Play For: The Home Nations' Football Adventures

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