What If Gordon Banks Had Played?
In tribute to the recently deceased Mr B, here is an alternative history novel from the dark recesses and the early days of the internet. A good read if you know enough about 70s UK political history, if a bit ridiculous towards the end.
" England entered the 1970 World Cup as defending champions and, if anything, with a stronger squad than in 1966. After meeting Brazil in the first round Pele famously said to Bobby Moore that he would see him again in the final. It was not to be. In the event England's goalkeeper Gordon Banks was taken ill on the coach journey to their quarter-final match against West Germany. Banks was replaced by Peter Bonetti - but to no avail. Bonetti dived over a lacklustre shot from Franz Beckenbauer and Seeler headed in a second goal while Bonetti was off his line.
Germany scored a third goal in extra time and England were out of the World Cup. Three days later Labour lost the general election. There have been various explanations for Labour's defeat. Wilson blamed the BBC, others blamed unexpectedly low balance of trade figures, others the knock-on effect of England's defeat - in the words of one cabinet minster "the bug in Gordon Banks' tummy".
It could have been so different... "
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Zuowan, Tue 12 Feb 2019, 16:40,
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There can't be that many people who change their vote according to a football result can there?
(, Tue 12 Feb 2019, 17:04, Share, Reply)
Funny you say that as I was reading something today about support for the US president dropping when there were a spate of shark attacks about a century ago
So sure nobody decides to, but if people are in a good mood it may certainly influence decisions they make in ways they don't realise.
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Zuowan, Tue 12 Feb 2019, 17:24,
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